History of Flight
On April 2, 2017, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Buckeye Aviation Dream Machine powered parachute, N4017L, collided with trees and terrain at Knoxville, Tennessee. The sport pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger was seriously injured. The powered parachute was substantially damaged. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private grass airstrip about 1415.
The passenger reported an uneventful preflight and takeoff to the west. About one hour later, the pilot turned east toward the passenger's home. After overflying the home, the pilot maneuvered the powered parachute east over rising terrain and trees. The aircraft did not appear to climb quickly enough to clear trees; the landing gear struck about three trees before the aircraft dropped into woods, striking limbs. The passenger noted no significant change in engine speed before impact. The passenger egressed but could not walk and was met by first responders.
The passenger's wife observed the aircraft flying low and heard it strike limbs followed by a crash. She called 911 after a neighbor located the site. Several local residents reported the aircraft flying at low altitude, with one stating it was "barely over the tree tops" and another about 20 ft above trees.
Personnel Information
The pilot, seated in the front cockpit, held a sport pilot certificate and was not required to hold an FAA medical certificate. His logbook showed about 90 hours total flight experience, all in Buckeye powered parachutes. According to FAA records, on September 24, 2016, the pilot violated a temporary flight restriction near Neyland Stadium while flying the same aircraft, observed inside the TFR at less than 1,000 ft agl, not communicating with ATC and without an operating transponder.
Aircraft Information
The single-engine, tandem-cockpit powered parachute had fixed tricycle landing gear and a Rotax 582E two-stroke two-cylinder engine rated at 66 horsepower. It was manufactured in 2005 and had accumulated about 139 hours since new. A condition inspection was completed on November 1, 2016.
Meteorological Information
Weather at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), about 9 miles east-southeast of the accident site, at 1553 included wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 24°C, dew point 6°C, and altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was found in a wooded area about 880 ft northeast of the passenger's residence, at an elevation about 100 ft higher. All components were present, no fire. The cart was buckled or bent, landing gear attached, parachute and lines entangled with branches. Continuity from parachute to controls established. Both occupants wore helmets; intercom installed. Engine mounts broken; three-blade composite propeller attached with broken and splintered blade tips. Continuity from controls to engine established. Fuel tank contained about 4 gallons, no leaks. Spark plugs appeared normal. Exhaust manifold did not fully cover cylinder ports but no evidence of leakage. No internal engine restrictions, compression and suction observed on both cylinders. Throttle found full forward, retarded to idle for test run. Engine started smoothly, ran at idle for about 2 minutes. No preimpact mechanical malfunction or anomaly found.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy by the Knox County Regional Forensic Center determined the pilot's cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries, manner of death accident. Toxicological testing was negative for ethanol and major drugs of abuse; 2% carbon monoxide detected in blood.