Primary finding
Probable cause
The noncertificated pilot's impairment due to alcohol consumption, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The noncertificated pilot was conducting a personal flight in the powered-parachute. Witnesses reported seeing the powered-parachute in a left bank when it clipped a tree and then impacted terrain in the pilot's back yard. A sheriff's deputy, who interviewed the pilot after the accident, reported that the pilot "smelled heavily [of] intoxicants. His eyes were glassy, his speech slurred, and thick tongued." The pilot reported to the deputy that he had consumed "two beers earlier in the day." A preliminary breath test of the pilot showed that he had a 0.16 percent blood alcohol concentration, which is beyond the regulatory limit for pilots. Therefore, the pilot's impairment led to his inability to safety operate the powered-parachute and his failure to maintain clearance from a tree.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 8, 2015, about 1945 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Buckeye Dream Machine powered parachute collided with a tree and impacted terrain on private property in Zeeland, Michigan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Zeeland about 1930. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene. Witnesses told deputies they saw the aircraft in a left bank when it clipped a tree and impacted terrain in the pilot's back yard. A deputy interviewed the pilot and stated he "smelled heavily intoxicants. His eyes were glassy, his speech slurred, and thick tongued." The pilot admitted to the deputy that he had consumed "two beers earlier in the day." The pilot was asked to submit to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT). The pilot consented. The result was 0.16% Breath Alcohol Content (BRAC).