Accident Details
On August 24, 2013, at approximately 1930 central daylight time, a Buckeye Breeze (registration N5164G) and a Six Chuter SR7 XL (registration N94495) collided in midair while operating in the traffic pattern at a private airpark near Franklin, Illinois. Both aircraft were powered parachutes registered to and operated by their respective pilots under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plans were filed. Both flights had originated from the private airpark about 1900.
Pilot Statements
According to the pilot of the Buckeye Breeze, he was descending on a northbound heading to land on the easterly grass runway. The pilot of the Six Chuter reported being on a left downwind to land on the northerly grass runway. The main body of the Buckeye Breeze collided with the suspension lines of the Six Chuter approximately 300 feet above the ground. Neither pilot was using a handheld radio to broadcast pattern intentions, and neither observed the other until immediately before the collision.
Post-Collision
After the collision, both powered parachutes descended and impacted into a heavily forested area. The pilot of the Buckeye Breeze sustained serious injuries, while his passenger received minor injuries. The pilot of the Six Chuter and his passenger were both seriously injured.
Pilot Certification
The pilot of the Buckeye Breeze was not certificated at the time of the accident. He had been issued a student pilot certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration on June 23, 2007, with an expiration date of June 30, 2009, and had not pursued any further certification.