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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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October 24, 1983 · Highcraft Buccaneer · UNREG

Mountville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 24, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Mountville, PA
Aircraft
Highcraft Buccaneer
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
Scott Burd
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC84FU002

THE AMPHIBIAN ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS BEING FLOWN ON A SERIES OF FLT TESTS AFTER BEING ASSEMBLED. AT APRX 1615 EDT, THE PLT TOOK OFF & WAS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER PLT IN ANOTHER ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE FOR OBSERVATION PURPOSES. NO UNDESIRABLE FLT CHARACTERISTIC WAS NOTED. AT APRX 1650 EDT, THE CHASE PLT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT WHILE THE PLT ON THE TEST FLT REMAINED AIRBORNE. AT ABOUT 1715 EDT, A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ULTRALIGHT MANEUVERING. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE VEHICLE WAS FAIRLY HIGH, SPINNING AROUND AT A FAST RATE & DESCENDING RAPIDLY UNTIL IT LEVELED OFF AT AN ALT OF BETWEEN 400 TO 500 FT AGL. ANOTHER WITNESS SAID HE WAS WATCHING THE ULTRALIGHT & SAW IT DIP & TURN A FEW TIMES, THEN THE WINGS FOLDED UP & THE VEHICLE CRASHED. ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CRAFT WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. BOTH WINGS HAD THE SAME KIND OF DAMAGE CHARACTERISTICS, BUT THE RIGHT WING & STRUTS WERE DAMAGED TO A GREATER DEGREE. NO PREIMPACT/ MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

Full Narrative

THE AMPHIBIAN ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS BEING FLOWN ON A SERIES OF FLT TESTS AFTER BEING ASSEMBLED. AT APRX 1615 EDT, THE PLT TOOK OFF & WAS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER PLT IN ANOTHER ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE FOR OBSERVATION PURPOSES. NO UNDESIRABLE FLT CHARACTERISTIC WAS NOTED. AT APRX 1650 EDT, THE CHASE PLT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT WHILE THE PLT ON THE TEST FLT REMAINED AIRBORNE. AT ABOUT 1715 EDT, A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ULTRALIGHT MANEUVERING. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE VEHICLE WAS FAIRLY HIGH, SPINNING AROUND AT A FAST RATE & DESCENDING RAPIDLY UNTIL IT LEVELED OFF AT AN ALT OF BETWEEN 400 TO 500 FT AGL. ANOTHER WITNESS SAID HE WAS WATCHING THE ULTRALIGHT & SAW IT DIP & TURN A FEW TIMES, THEN THE WINGS FOLDED UP & THE VEHICLE CRASHED. ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CRAFT WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. BOTH WINGS HAD THE SAME KIND OF DAMAGE CHARACTERISTICS, BUT THE RIGHT WING & STRUTS WERE DAMAGED TO A GREATER DEGREE. NO PREIMPACT/ MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm WSW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHighcraft Buccaneer
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageSubstantial
OperatorScott Burd
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 277 · Reciprocating · 28
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 11 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data