# NTSB ANC83FA107: Rotec Engineering 3A, N397RE, Fairbanks, AK, June 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1983, 22:00 local (Jun 27, 1983, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809715, -147.719848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8097&lon=-147.7198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA107

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT & A PASSENGER WERE ON A SALES DEMONSTRATION FLT IN THE TWO-PLACE, HOME BUILT, ULTRALIGHT ACFT. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT MUSHED INTO POWER LINES AFTER ATTAINING AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 30 FT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF. HE ADDED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE WAS MADE, BUT NOT PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFINCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE 1500 FT STRIP WAS REPORTED TO BE ROUGH WITH GRASS, 14 INCHES TALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N397RE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Rotec Engineering, Inc. 3A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25154
- Airframe hours: 30
- Engines: Rotax 503 48 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Mallett
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1983, 30 hours before
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 27, 1,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 978 total, 28 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830626047429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830626047429A), Jun 26, 1983: Amtr RALLY3A, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Took off from an unmowed grass strip. Aircraft mushed into powerlines after liftoff. Was loaded near gross weight.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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