# NTSB ATL83LA218: Rotec Engineering Rally 3, N2046D, Newport, MD, June 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Newport, MD
- Coordinates: 38.530971, -76.969886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5310&lon=-76.9699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER ONTO ITS WINGS DURING LANDING ON A SOFT MUDDY FIELD. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS MAKING A SOFT FIELD LANDING ON THE MUDDY FIELD. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD IN A NOSEDOWN ATTITUDE. THE RT SIDE LANDING GEAR PIVOTED AND DUG IN FLIPPING THE ULTRALIGHT OVER ON THE WINGS. THE WINDS AT THE TIME WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2046D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2046D-2006-06-29), registration cancelled 2006-06-29, S/N KEEL-25070, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rotec Engineering, Inc. RALLY 3
- Registry model: [Offenbacher John F RALLY 3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/offenbacher-john-f-rally-3a) (registry code 056473Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 25070
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: Rotax 1 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Offeubacher
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 3, 1983, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 70 total, 10 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °F

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.