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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 29, 1994 · Brisendine Pterodactyl/Ascender Pterodacty · UNREG

Las Animas, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Las Animas, CO
Aircraft
Brisendine Pterodactyl/Ascender Pterodacty
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW95LA034

THE HOMEBUILT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WHEN THE RIGHT WING FAILED INTO THE PROPELLER. THE AIRCRAFT MADE AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE GROUND. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE PILOT'S FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

A FAILURE OF THE RIGHT WING INTO THE PROPELLER.

Full Narrative

On October 29, 1994, at 1020 mountain daylight time, an unregistered Pterodactyl Ascender homebuilt was destroyed when the right wing failed in flight approximately 5 miles east of Las Animas, Colorado. The unlicensed pilot sustained fatal injuries on this local area personal flight which departed Hasty, Colorado, earlier in the morning. According to witness information, the aircraft was in cruise flight approximately 100 feet above ground level when the right wing folded into the propeller. The aircraft made an uncontrolled descent into the ground. Witnesses arrived on the scene within a short period of time and attempted to assist the pilot until paramedics arrived. During the course of the investigation, no information was found pertaining to the flight experience of the pilot. It is the investigator's estimate that the pilot had less than 10 hours of flight time. Weather conditions in the area were reported to be clear skies and light winds at the time of the accident. On scene examination by an FAA inspector could not determine the failure mode.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBrisendine Pterodactyl/Ascender Pterodacty
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 430R · Reciprocating · 30
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 7 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data