# NTSB ANC83LU001: Waspair HM-81 Tomcat Tour, Chugiak, AK, March 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1983, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.410739, -149.170318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4107&lon=-149.1703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LU001

## 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)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A TEST PLT & DEALER FOR THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE & MADE ADJUSTMENTS PRIOR TO MAKING A TEST FLIGHT AFTER IT WAS ASSEMBLED. HE STATED THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS SETTING THE CARBURETOR MIXTURE & THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS NOT WORKING WELL. DURING EARLIER TAXI TESTS, THE ENG CEASED OPERATING A NUMBER OF TIMES. FINALLY, ON THE LAST TAXI TEST, THE ENG OPERATED AT FULL RPM & HE ELECTED TO TAKEOFF. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ULTRALIGHT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THEN BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO A CLEARING & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO TREES. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE TREES & THE PLT REMAINED SECURE BY HIS LAP BELT & SHOULDER HARNESS. HOWEVER, AFTER HE RELEASED HIS RESTRAINT SYSTEM, HE WAS INJURED WHEN HE FELL APRX 40 FT TO THE GROUND. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 40 & 36 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, SERIOUS ICING WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE AT CRUISE POWER. HOWEVER, ICING WAS NOT VERIFIED. THERE WAS NO PROVISION FOR CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WASPAIR HM-81 TOMCAT TOUR (HM-81 TOMC)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 103
- Operator: Micheal S. Lineker
- Registered owner: Jack Hughes
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 20, 1983, 0 hours before
- Airport: Z15, Birchwood

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ, 16 nm away

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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