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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 · Pterodactyl Ptravler · UNREG

Grants Pass, OR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Grants Pass, OR
Aircraft
Pterodactyl Ptravler
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA83FU008

THE ULTRALIGHT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AFTER A TAKEOFF DURING AIR TAXI PRACTICE. THE TWO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WERE TAKING TURNS TAXIING THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING INSTRUCTED BY THE OWNER. ONE OF THE PROSPECTS DURING HIS 2ND TAXI RUN BECAME AIRBORNE AND CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS AIRBORNE A WITNESS HEARD A POWER REDUCTION AND OBSERVED THE VEHICLE START A DESCENDING ROLL TO THE LEFT WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT. THE OCCUPANT WAS NOT WEARING A BELT/HARNESS OR ANY HEADGEAR. HE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.NEITHER OF THE PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WERE PILOTS NOR DID THEY HAVE ANY ULTRALIGHT EXPERIENCE.

Full Narrative

THE ULTRALIGHT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AFTER A TAKEOFF DURING AIR TAXI PRACTICE. THE TWO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WERE TAKING TURNS TAXIING THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING INSTRUCTED BY THE OWNER. ONE OF THE PROSPECTS DURING HIS 2ND TAXI RUN BECAME AIRBORNE AND CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS AIRBORNE A WITNESS HEARD A POWER REDUCTION AND OBSERVED THE VEHICLE START A DESCENDING ROLL TO THE LEFT WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT. THE OCCUPANT WAS NOT WEARING A BELT/HARNESS OR ANY HEADGEAR. HE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.NEITHER OF THE PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WERE PILOTS NOR DID THEY HAVE ANY ULTRALIGHT EXPERIENCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 PDT
Nearest AirportJosephine County (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPterodactyl Ptravler
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCuyuna · 430B · Reciprocating · 30
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data