ANC83FU002

NTSB accident investigation · Eagle B · Chugiak, AK · February 21, 1983

Accident · FatalFinal report
Date
February 21, 1983, 10:19 local (14:19 UTC)
Place
Chugiak, AK
Injuries
1 fatal
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
UNREGEagle B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
Case key
4073

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Aircraft handling - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Abrupt maneuverManeuvering
Airframe/component/system failure/malfunctionManeuvering
Wing - overloadFactor
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

Reportedly, the plt took off from a yard, and when the ultralight vehicle had climbed to about 200 ft AGL, the eng lost RPM momentarily, then regained power. A witness reported that when the RPM decreased, the ultralight nosed over & went upside down. During the sequence, the wings folded & the vehicle fell to the ground. No mechanical irregularities of either the engine or airframe were found. An associate, who was flying in another ultralight, stated that the normal procedure for a loss of power would be to lower the nose to gain airspeed. He stated that in a weight shift control vehicle, such as this was, the response would be immediate. He further reported that should the eng regain power, while the plt's weight was shifted forward, the thrust would push the nose further forward (down). He also stated that the plt may not have completely removed frost from the canard, and if the canard loses lift, the nose would drop.

Aircraft

Registration
UNREG
Reported as
Eagle B
Category
Ultralight
Serial number
NONE
Engine
Cuyuna UNK/NR, 36 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 103
Registered owner
Thomas Fair, Jr.
Departed
Z15 · Chugiak, AK

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
27
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Unknown
Seat
Front

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
180° at 3 knots
Visibility
15 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
5,000 ft overcast
Temperature
19 °F