# NTSB ATL84FU003: Pterodactyl Ascender II, Lawrenceville, GA, January 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1984, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Lawrenceville, GA
- Location: 33.9529° N, 83.9922° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lawrenceville, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9529&lon=-83.9922&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): 6338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - lack of (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - not performed (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - overload
  - wing - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF IN CONDITIONS OF TURBULENCE & GUSTY WINDS. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE PITCHED & ROLLED ERRATICALLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. THE PLT THEN MADE A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN TO A DOWNWIND HEADING & PROCEEDED OVER A TALL TREE LINE TOWARD A FIELD WHERE HE ULTIMATELY CRASHED. ONE WITNESS HEARD A 'POP', THEN LOOKED & SAW THE ACFT DESCENDING WITH THE WINGS FOLDED. OTHERS SAID THE WINGS FLEXED UPWARD 1ST, THEN THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER & THE WINGS REVERSED & FOLDED AROUND THE AIRFRAME. AN EXAM REVEALED UPWARD DEFORMATION OF THE CARARD, BUT IT HAD NO SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE OF GROUND IMPACT. THE WINGS HAD EVIDENCE OF BOTH UPWARD & DOWNWARD BENDING. THE KINGPOST WAS BENT REARWARD & ITS TOP CAP WAS FOUND 175 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. NO AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER REPORTED THAT AN AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS REQUIRED TO JUDGE THE SPEED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THAT THE MAX SPEED (VNE) WAS EASILY EXCEEDED & THAT THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BECAME EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AT HIGHER AIRSPEEDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II (ASCENDER I)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1210
- Airframe hours: 8
- Engines: CUYUNA 430D 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Mary B. Mussner
- Destination: SNELLVILLE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 350 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 15 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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