Buckeye Aviation INC DM and Buckeye Aviation INC DM mid-air collision near Sublette, Kansas, January 17, 2010
On January 17, 2010 at about 11:45 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Buckeye Aviation INC DM (N582DW) and Buckeye Aviation INC DM (N846DW), were involved in a mid-air collision near Sublette, Kansas. 2 people were killed; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft, resulting in a midair collision while maneuvering at low altitude.
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft, which resulted in a midair collision while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 17, 2010 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Sublette, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Buckeye Aviation INC DM 582
- Registration
- N582DW · registry record · serial 3729
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Buckeye Aviation INC DM 582
- Registration
- N846DW · no longer on the register · serial 4457
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Buckeye Aviation INC DM final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two noncertificated pilots were flying two powered parachutes at low altitude. The first aircraft was generally northbound in straight and level flight approximately 200 to 300 feet above ground level and the second aircraft was slightly above and in front of the first. The second aircraft made a turn to the right and was generally heading southwest when it began a slight descent and its canopy collided with the lower portion of first aircraft. The second aircraft then fell almost straight down, impacting mostly on the nose, and causing substantial damage to the main airframe structure. The in-flight impact caused the first aircraft to briefly swing backward, but the pilot regained control and was able to immediately land without damage or injuries.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Buckeye Aviation INC DM final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two noncertificated pilots were flying two powered parachutes at low altitude. The first aircraft was generally northbound in straight and level flight approximately 200 to 300 feet above ground level and the second aircraft was slightly above and in front of the first. The second aircraft made a turn to the right and was generally heading southwest when it began a slight descent and its canopy collided with the lower portion of first aircraft. The second aircraft then fell almost straight down, impacting mostly on the nose, and causing substantial damage to the main airframe structure. The in-flight impact caused the first aircraft to briefly swing backward, but the pilot regained control and was able to immediately land without damage or injuries.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Buckeye Aviation INC DM from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Flight control sys malf/fail during uncontrolled descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 30 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 67 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 9, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 827 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sublette KS at 11:30 pm
- Destination: Sublette KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 pm from GCK, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the Buckeye Aviation INC DM from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 100 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 92 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 9, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 DL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sublette KS at 11:30 pm
- Destination: Sublette KS
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.