# NTSB ATL83FU004: Condor II Special, Dahlonega, GA, July 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1983, 20:22 local (Jul 21, 1983, 00:22 UTC)
- Place: Dahlonega, GA
- Coordinates: 34.529685, -83.979736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5297&lon=-83.9797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FU004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FU004

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB ABOUT 600 TO 700 FT OVER A PASTURE EAST OF THE RWY, THEN THE PLT BEGAN TO PERFORM AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. AFTER COMPLETING A LOOP, THE ULTRALIGHT WAS OBSERVED TO ROTATE NOSE UP. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, A WITNESS HEARD A CRACKING SOUND. HE SAID THE ROTATION THEN STOPPED & THE ULTRALIGHT STARTED FALLING NOSE 1ST TOWARD THE GROUND. A PLT, WHO WAS WATCHING, SAID THE LEFT WING WAS FLUTTERING, BUT DID NOT COLLAPSE DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. REPORTEDLY, THE ENG WAS AT FULL POWER UNTIL IMPACT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHO WAS ALSO A DEALER, SAID HE HAD WARNED THE PLT NOT TO PERFORM AEROBATICS IN THIS ULTRALIGHT. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT WING INNER & CENTER COMPRESSION STRUTS WERE BENT & THE LEFT TRAILING EDGE SPAR WAS BROKEN AT THE INNER COMPRESSION STRUT ATTACHING BOLT HOLE. THE INNER SURFACE OF THE REAR SPAR, NEAR THE COMPRESSION STRUT, SHOWED SIGNS OF COMPRESSION & COLUMN BUCKLING PRIOR TO FRACTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CONDOR II SPECIAL
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 83-102-2
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA-440A-F202 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Roger M. Grizzle
- Departed: 9A0, DAHLONEGA, GA
- Airport: 9A0

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 51 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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