# NTSB ANC83FU002: Eagle B, Chugiak, AK, February 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1983, 10:19 local (14:19 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.409572, -149.169403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4096&lon=-149.1694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Eagle (ultralight) B
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: NONE
- Engines: 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.

- 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

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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