# NTSB ATL83FA366: Pterodactyl/Lambert None, N2084Q, Mt. Holly, NC, September 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Holly, NC
- Coordinates: 35.30043, -81.029685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3004&lon=-81.0297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA366

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY ACCOMPANIED BY A PLT IN ANOTHER ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE. THE ACCIDENT ACFT WAS FASTER, SO THE PLT MANEUVERED AROUND WHILE EN ROUTE. DURING A TURN, THE ACCIDENT VEHICLE GOT OUT OF SIGHT FROM THE PLT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE & BECAME PERMANENTLY SEPARATED. AT 0957 EDT, A BOEING 727 CREW REPORTED A NEAR MISS WITH 2 ULTRALIGHTS IN THAT VICINITY. THE CAPTAIN ESTIMATED A SEPARATION OF APRX 100 FT. HOWEVER, HE OBSERVED THE ULTRALIGHTS AGAIN ABOUT 10 TO 15 SEC LATER & SAW NO EVIDENCE OF AN UPSET. AT ABOUT 1000 EDT, WITNESSES SAW THE LEFT WING OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT FOLD UPWARD, THEN HEARD A LOUD POP & SAW THE ULTRALIGHT FALL VERTICALLY TO THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED ONLY OVERLOAD FAILURES. REPORTEDLY, THE ULTRALIGHT WAS INVOLVED IN SOME TYPE OF MISHAP ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE NOT VERIFIED, BUT THE PROP & THE AXLE OF THE MAIN WHEELS REQUIRED REPLACING. DURING CONSTRUCTION, THEBUILDER HAD MADE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ACFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - wing - overload
- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2084Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL/LAMBERT NONE
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 27
- Engines: Cuyuna NONE 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lambert, Victor Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1983, 5 hours before
- Departed: HUNTERSVILLE, NC
- Destination: CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 7 nm away

## 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 19830910070279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830910070279A), Sep 10, 1983: Amtr PTERODACTYL, Mt Holly, NC, Destroyed. Left wing folded upward and aircraft fell straight to ground. Jet plane flew over ultralight just before accident.

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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