# NTSB ATL83FU003: Airmass Sunburst Model B, Ernul, NC, July 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1983, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Ernul, NC
- Coordinates: 35.289688, -77.029747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2897&lon=-77.0297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - wing,bracing wire - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (cause)
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS EN ROUTE FROM AYDEN, NC, WHERE HE PURCHASED THE ULTRALIGHT, TO HIS HOME IN HAVELOCK, NC. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE HAD LANDED AT ERNUL, NC TO REFUEL. AFTER REFUELING, HE TOOK OFF, CIRCLED BACK OVER THE FIELD, THEN ADDED POWER & BEGAN TO CLIMB. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE LEFT WING FOLDED UP FROM THE ROOT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ULTRALIGHT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BOTH LEFT WING FLYING WIRES (CABLES) HAD SEPARATED WHERE THEY WERE ROUTED OVER THIMBLES FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE HANG CAGE. THE NICOPRESS SLEEVE (SWEDGE FITTING) ON ONE OF THE CABLES HAD BEEN INSTALLED OVER THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE CABLE, RATHER THAN DIRECTLY ON THE CABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIRMASS SUNBURST MODEL B (SUNBURST M)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Daniel E. Howard
- Destination: HAVELOCK, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 10 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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