# NTSB ATL83FU002: Wizard J3, Dovesville, SC, April 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1983, 07:28 local (11:28 UTC)
- Place: Dovesville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.380359, -79.849029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3804&lon=-79.8490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE OWNER/PLT HAD PURCHASED THE ULTRALIGHT ACFT ON 4/21/83. HIS INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE (THE PLT) HAD RECEIVED APRX 1 1/2 HRS OF SUPERVISED TAXI TIME, BUT HAD NOT FLOWN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLT. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET HIS INSTRUCTOR AT THE ARPT. HOWEVER, WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE APPOINTMENT, THE PLT TOOK OFF. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE ULTRALIGHT TAKEOFF & CLIMB IN A FAIRLY STEEP ATTITUDE, THEN LEVEL OFF. ANOTHER WITNESS OBSERVED THE ULTRALIGHT FLYING LEVEL AT APRX 40 FT AGL, THEN SAW IT IN A NOSE DOWN DESCENT. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED AN ABANDONED RWY IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE EVIDENT. THE PLT HAD NO KNOWN FLT EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO THIS FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WIZARD J3
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: KAWASAKI NONE 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Adam R. Linker
- Airport: 04J, Darlington County, runway 16, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

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

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO, 24 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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