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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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NTSB Report

April 19, 1985 · Condor Aircraft Condor III · UNREG

Hockley, TX

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

April 19, 1985

Injury Outcomes

2 injuries (2 fatalities)

Location

Hockley, TX

Aircraft

Condor Aircraft Condor III

Tail Number

UNREG

Operator

Frank Lee Volta

Injuries

Fatal

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

FTW85FRA03

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT. WITNESSES STATED THE ULTRALIGHT WAS AIRBORNE FOR APRX 5 MINUTES BEFORE A LOUD 'POP' WAS HEARD AND IT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN SPIRAL. INSPECTION OF THE ULTRALIGHT REVEALED A FAILED BOLT IN THE REAR SPAR OF THE LEFT WING. THE BOLT WAS INTENDED TO HOLD A BRACE BETWEEN THE REAR WING SPAR AND THE FRONT WING SPAR, AND ALSO A BRACE FROM THE LEFT REAR WING SPAR TO THE TAIL SECTION.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT. WITNESSES STATED THE ULTRALIGHT WAS AIRBORNE FOR APRX 5 MINUTES BEFORE A LOUD 'POP' WAS HEARD AND IT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN SPIRAL. INSPECTION OF THE ULTRALIGHT REVEALED A FAILED BOLT IN THE REAR SPAR OF THE LEFT WING. THE BOLT WAS INTENDED TO HOLD A BRACE BETWEEN THE REAR WING SPAR AND THE FRONT WING SPAR, AND ALSO A BRACE FROM THE LEFT REAR WING SPAR TO THE TAIL SECTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time18:50 CST

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCondor Aircraft Condor III

Tail NumberUNREG

Aircraft CategoryUltr

DamageDestroyed

OperatorFrank Lee Volta

Operating RulePart 103

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsKawasaki · TA440A030530 · Reciprocating · 37

Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)

Fatal2

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total2

Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind130° @ 10 kt

Visibility15 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point61 F

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Observation Time01:00

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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April 19, 1985 · Condor Aircraft Condor III · UNREG

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