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NTSB Report
August 21, 1983 · Weedhopper B · UNREG
St. Joseph, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
St. Joseph, IL
Aircraft
Weedhopper B
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83FU009
THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER THE LEFT WING FOLDED UP AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL. WITNESSES SAID THE ULTRALIGHT WAS TRAVELING EAST WHEN THE WING COLLAPSED OR FOLDED BACK. REPORTEDLY, IT PITCHED UP & THE RIGHT WING TIP WENT UP. THE VEHICLE THEN PITCHED DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER A ONE TURN SPIN. THE TANG THAT ATTACHED THE LEFT FORWARD WING STRUT TO THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WING WAS BROKEN. THE ALUMINUM STRAP WAS EXAMINED. IT EXHIBITED 94 PERCENT FATIGUE FAILURE WHEN SEPARATION OCCURRED. THE PILOT HAD BEEN GIVEN NEW TANGS MADE OF STEEL FOR THE ACFT. THESE TANGS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Full Narrative
THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER THE LEFT WING FOLDED UP AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL. WITNESSES SAID THE ULTRALIGHT WAS TRAVELING EAST WHEN THE WING COLLAPSED OR FOLDED BACK. REPORTEDLY, IT PITCHED UP & THE RIGHT WING TIP WENT UP. THE VEHICLE THEN PITCHED DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER A ONE TURN SPIN. THE TANG THAT ATTACHED THE LEFT FORWARD WING STRUT TO THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WING WAS BROKEN. THE ALUMINUM STRAP WAS EXAMINED. IT EXHIBITED 94 PERCENT FATIGUE FAILURE WHEN SEPARATION OCCURRED. THE PILOT HAD BEEN GIVEN NEW TANGS MADE OF STEEL FOR THE ACFT. THESE TANGS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWeedhopper B
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsChotia · 460 · Reciprocating
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT