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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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May 2, 1983 · Rietman Widget · N3881D

Yreke, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Yreke, CA
Aircraft
Rietman Widget
Tail Number
N3881D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FVG11

AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO ABOUT 7,000-8,000 FT MSL & ENTER A SLOW FLAT SPIN. 8 TURNS WERE COUNTED & THE ACFT DID NOT RECOVER. THE PLT BAILED OUT OF THE ACFT AT ABOUT 500-600 FT BUT THE PARACHUTE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO FULLY DEPLOY. THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & ELEVATOR HAD BROKEN LOOSE & ONLY FABRIC HELD IT TO THE EMPENNAGE. BOTH THE FORWARD & REAR SPARS WERE BROKEN AT A POINT WHERE THE ATTACHING BOLTS GO THROUGH THE SPARS. THE FORWARD SPAR WAS 1/2 INCH THICK & DRILLED WITH A 1/4 INCH DRILL TO ACCOMMODATE THE 1/4 INCH MOUNTING BOLT. THE HOLE WAS NOT CENTERED IN THE SPAR & THE HOLE HAD RUN OUT THE SIDE OF THE SPAR. THE REAR SPAR WAS 1 INCH THICK & THE 1/4 INCH HOLE WAS ALSO DRILLED OFF-CENTER.

Full Narrative

AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO ABOUT 7,000-8,000 FT MSL & ENTER A SLOW FLAT SPIN. 8 TURNS WERE COUNTED & THE ACFT DID NOT RECOVER. THE PLT BAILED OUT OF THE ACFT AT ABOUT 500-600 FT BUT THE PARACHUTE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO FULLY DEPLOY. THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & ELEVATOR HAD BROKEN LOOSE & ONLY FABRIC HELD IT TO THE EMPENNAGE. BOTH THE FORWARD & REAR SPARS WERE BROKEN AT A POINT WHERE THE ATTACHING BOLTS GO THROUGH THE SPARS. THE FORWARD SPAR WAS 1/2 INCH THICK & DRILLED WITH A 1/4 INCH DRILL TO ACCOMMODATE THE 1/4 INCH MOUNTING BOLT. THE HOLE WAS NOT CENTERED IN THE SPAR & THE HOLE HAD RUN OUT THE SIDE OF THE SPAR. THE REAR SPAR WAS 1 INCH THICK & THE 1/4 INCH HOLE WAS ALSO DRILLED OFF-CENTER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm SW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRietman Widget
Tail NumberN3881D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 2A120B · Reciprocating · 60
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data