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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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August 7, 1983 · Mitchell P-38 · UNREG

Olathe, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Olathe, CO
Aircraft
Mitchell P-38
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
Olathe Spray Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN83LU002

THE OWNER OF THE ULTRALIGHT REPORTED THAT THIS WAS THE PLTS 1ST FLT IN THIS VEHICLE. REPORTEDLY, HE WAS LEARNING TO FLY ULTRALIGHTS & HAD JUST COMPLETED SEVERAL HIGH SPEED RUNS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER STATED HE SAW THE ULTRALIGHT LIFT OFF & CLIMB TO APRX 50 TO 75 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS IN SLOW FLT WHEN HE BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THEN THE ULTRALIGHT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, STARTED TO MUSH & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED. THE ULTRALIGHT WAS PRIMARILY CONTROLLED BY CONVENTIONAL FLT CONTROLS, BUT IT ALSO COULD BE EFFECTED BY WEIGHT SHIFTING. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, THE PLT HAD NO FAA CERTIFICATION, BUT AT ONE TIME, WAS A STUDENT PLT.

Full Narrative

THE OWNER OF THE ULTRALIGHT REPORTED THAT THIS WAS THE PLTS 1ST FLT IN THIS VEHICLE. REPORTEDLY, HE WAS LEARNING TO FLY ULTRALIGHTS & HAD JUST COMPLETED SEVERAL HIGH SPEED RUNS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER STATED HE SAW THE ULTRALIGHT LIFT OFF & CLIMB TO APRX 50 TO 75 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS IN SLOW FLT WHEN HE BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THEN THE ULTRALIGHT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, STARTED TO MUSH & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED. THE ULTRALIGHT WAS PRIMARILY CONTROLLED BY CONVENTIONAL FLT CONTROLS, BUT IT ALSO COULD BE EFFECTED BY WEIGHT SHIFTING. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, THE PLT HAD NO FAA CERTIFICATION, BUT AT ONE TIME, WAS A STUDENT PLT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 MDT
Nearest AirportOLATHE (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMitchell P-38
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOlathe Spray Service
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCuyuna · 430 · Reciprocating · 43
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data