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NTSB Report
October 23, 1983 · Pterodactyl Ascender II Ascender I · UNREG
Manvel, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Manvel, TX
Aircraft
Pterodactyl Ascender II Ascender I
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW84LU001
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, JUST AFTER HE PASSED THE END OF THE RWY. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE RWY & THE ENG STOPPED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE STRUCK A STRAND OF BARBED WIRE WHICH WAS MOUNTED ABOUT 30 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE WIRE WAS OVER ADJOINING PROPERLY, A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER HITTING THE WIRE, THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED ON THE RWY. THE PLT DID NOT SEE THE WIRE UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT & WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN INSTALLED THERE. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT VERIFIED.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, JUST AFTER HE PASSED THE END OF THE RWY. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE RWY & THE ENG STOPPED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE STRUCK A STRAND OF BARBED WIRE WHICH WAS MOUNTED ABOUT 30 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE WIRE WAS OVER ADJOINING PROPERLY, A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER HITTING THE WIRE, THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED ON THE RWY. THE PLT DID NOT SEE THE WIRE UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT & WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN INSTALLED THERE. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT VERIFIED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway33
Runway Length800 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPterodactyl Ascender II Ascender I
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCuyuna · UL2-02 · Reciprocating
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT