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NTSB Report
September 11, 1983 · Rotec Rally 3B · N116RE
Franklin, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Franklin, MA
Aircraft
Rotec Rally 3B
Tail Number
N116RE
Operator
Richard Sarvas
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC83FU010
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT ACFT WAS BROUGHT TO A FIELD DURING THE MORNING TO CHECK OUT THE CONTROL RIGGING & TO FAMILIARIZE HIM WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO FLY THE ULTRALIGHT AT THAT TIME. LATER IN THE DAY, THE PLT WAS TAXIING & 'CROW HOPPING' IN NORTH & SOUTH DIRECTIONS. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT WHILE IT WAS PROCEEDING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION, THE ULTRALIGHT MADE SEVERAL HOPS IN THE AIR. HE REPORTED THAT IT THEN VEERED IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION, HOPPED UP & DOWN & FINALLY BECAME AIRBORNE. IT CLIMBED ABOVE TREE TOP LEVEL, THEN TURNED LEFT AS IF THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE FIELD. HOWEVER, WHILE IN A TURN, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH THE TREE TOPS & THE ULTRALIGHT CARTWHEELED & CRASHED. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT ACFT WAS BROUGHT TO A FIELD DURING THE MORNING TO CHECK OUT THE CONTROL RIGGING & TO FAMILIARIZE HIM WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO FLY THE ULTRALIGHT AT THAT TIME. LATER IN THE DAY, THE PLT WAS TAXIING & 'CROW HOPPING' IN NORTH & SOUTH DIRECTIONS. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT WHILE IT WAS PROCEEDING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION, THE ULTRALIGHT MADE SEVERAL HOPS IN THE AIR. HE REPORTED THAT IT THEN VEERED IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION, HOPPED UP & DOWN & FINALLY BECAME AIRBORNE. IT CLIMBED ABOVE TREE TOP LEVEL, THEN TURNED LEFT AS IF THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE FIELD. HOWEVER, WHILE IN A TURN, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH THE TREE TOPS & THE ULTRALIGHT CARTWHEELED & CRASHED. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRotec Rally 3B
Tail NumberN116RE
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard Sarvas
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · UNKNOWN · Reciprocating · 17
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT