Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE accident near St. Joseph, Michigan, September 23, 2013
On September 23, 2013 at about 10:45 pm local time, a 1997 Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE (powered parachute), registered N6122F, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near St. Joseph, Michigan (Private Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the powered-parachute during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 2013 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- St. Joseph, Michigan · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE, built 1997 · all DREAM MACHINEs on the register
- Registration
- N6122F · registry record · serial 3796997
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the accident occurred as he was attempting a northbound takeoff from a private grass airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the powered-parachute encountered a "mild" wind gust from the east that partially collapsed the right side of the parachute. The pilot corrected by making a slight left turn, but the powered-parachute became airborne with the right side of the parachute still underinflated. The powered-parachute descended back to the airstrip, bounced, and then yawed left after becoming airborne a second time. The pilot reported that he overcorrected for the yaw and that the fuselage cart swung to the right. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff while the powered-parachute was about 6 feet above the airstrip. The powered-parachute impacted the ground nose first before it rolled over. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the powered-parachute that would have prevented normal operation.
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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: powered-lift
- Flight time: 250 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 250 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 8, 2011
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 250 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 8, 2013
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT St. Joseph MI at 10:45 pm
- Destination: PVT St. Joseph MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,350 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from BEH, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 18, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Reports | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.