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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 26, 1983 · Rotec Rally 2B · UNREG

Keller, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Keller, TX
Aircraft
Rotec Rally 2B
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83FU003

AFTER ASSEMBLING HIS ULTRALIGHT, THE PLT RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUCTION IN A 2 PLACE MODEL. AFTER HIS 2ND DUAL FLT, HE TOLD HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) HE HAD SOLOED HIS VEHICLE. THE CFI CAUTIONED HIM AGAINST FURTHER SOLO FLTS UNTIL HE WAS QUALIFIED &EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO WEAR A HELMET. 3 DAYS LATER, WITNESSES SAW THE VEHICLE CRUISING AT APRX 300 TO 500 FT AGL WHEN ITSUDDENLY ROLLED RIGHT & ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NONE OF THE WITNESSES COULD VERIFY THE ENG STATUS BEFORE IMPACT. NEITHER OF THE PROP BLADES HAD ROTATIONAL DAMAGE, BUT 1 BLADE BROKE WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND. THE ENG WAS STARTED WITH FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK & OPERATED NORMALLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MOUNTED ON THE CONTROL STICK NEXT TO THE TWIST GRIP THROTTLE & WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ENG WAS EQUIPPED WITH A CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH & COULD NOT BE STARTED BY A WINDMILLING PROP. THE PLT WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET & HAD SUFFERED EXTENSIVE HEAD INJURIES. HIS CFI HAD WARNED HIM THAT HIS SPOILER LINES WERE TOO TIGHT & COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED SPOILER ACTION WTIH AFT STICK MOVEMENT.

Full Narrative

AFTER ASSEMBLING HIS ULTRALIGHT, THE PLT RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUCTION IN A 2 PLACE MODEL. AFTER HIS 2ND DUAL FLT, HE TOLD HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) HE HAD SOLOED HIS VEHICLE. THE CFI CAUTIONED HIM AGAINST FURTHER SOLO FLTS UNTIL HE WAS QUALIFIED &EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO WEAR A HELMET. 3 DAYS LATER, WITNESSES SAW THE VEHICLE CRUISING AT APRX 300 TO 500 FT AGL WHEN ITSUDDENLY ROLLED RIGHT & ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NONE OF THE WITNESSES COULD VERIFY THE ENG STATUS BEFORE IMPACT. NEITHER OF THE PROP BLADES HAD ROTATIONAL DAMAGE, BUT 1 BLADE BROKE WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND. THE ENG WAS STARTED WITH FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK & OPERATED NORMALLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MOUNTED ON THE CONTROL STICK NEXT TO THE TWIST GRIP THROTTLE & WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ENG WAS EQUIPPED WITH A CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH & COULD NOT BE STARTED BY A WINDMILLING PROP. THE PLT WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET & HAD SUFFERED EXTENSIVE HEAD INJURIES. HIS CFI HAD WARNED HIM THAT HIS SPOILER LINES WERE TOO TIGHT & COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED SPOILER ACTION WTIH AFT STICK MOVEMENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 CDT
Nearest Airport1nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

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

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 2 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data