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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 17, 1983 · Rotec Rally 2B · UNREG

Le Grand, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Le Grand, CA
Aircraft
Rotec Rally 2B
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83FU002

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT TOOK OFF & LANDED IN A DAIRY PASTURE WITH NO APPARENT DIFFICULTIES. HE THEN TOOK OFF AGAIN ON AN EASTERLY HEADING. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE TURNED TO A MODIFIED CROSSWIND/DOWNWIND PATTERN & WAS PROCEEDING IN A NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION. REPORTEDLY, AFTER REACHING AN ALT OF APRX 125 FT AGL, THE VEHICLE ENTERED A NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE & BEGAN DESCENDING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED DESCENDING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. NO EVASIVE ACTION WAS OBSERVED NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS VERIFIED; HOWEVER, THE PLT'S SEAT WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM ITS FORWARD & REAR ATTACH FITTINGS. SPEED TAPE HAD BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE SEAT SUPPORT TUBES TO THE MAIN FRAME & WAS FOUND BROKEN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT APRX 10 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE VEHICLE TOFLY. HE HAD CONFERRED WITH A ROTEC REP & WAS TOLD THE CG WAS TOO FAR FORWARD & TO MOVE THE SEAT APRX 2 INCHES AFT. THE PLT REMOVED THE BOLTS THAT CONNECTED THE SEAT, BUT DID NOT REINSTALL THEM, INSTEAD, HE USED 'SPEED TAPE.'

Full Narrative

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT TOOK OFF & LANDED IN A DAIRY PASTURE WITH NO APPARENT DIFFICULTIES. HE THEN TOOK OFF AGAIN ON AN EASTERLY HEADING. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE TURNED TO A MODIFIED CROSSWIND/DOWNWIND PATTERN & WAS PROCEEDING IN A NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION. REPORTEDLY, AFTER REACHING AN ALT OF APRX 125 FT AGL, THE VEHICLE ENTERED A NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE & BEGAN DESCENDING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED DESCENDING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. NO EVASIVE ACTION WAS OBSERVED NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS VERIFIED; HOWEVER, THE PLT'S SEAT WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM ITS FORWARD & REAR ATTACH FITTINGS. SPEED TAPE HAD BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE SEAT SUPPORT TUBES TO THE MAIN FRAME & WAS FOUND BROKEN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT APRX 10 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE VEHICLE TOFLY. HE HAD CONFERRED WITH A ROTEC REP & WAS TOLD THE CG WAS TOO FAR FORWARD & TO MOVE THE SEAT APRX 2 INCHES AFT. THE PLT REMOVED THE BOLTS THAT CONNECTED THE SEAT, BUT DID NOT REINSTALL THEM, INSTEAD, HE USED 'SPEED TAPE.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRotec Rally 2B
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCuyuna · 430R · Reciprocating · 35
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingUnknown 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data