# NTSB ATL84FU006: Ritz A, Tullahoma, TN, July 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1984, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Tullahoma, TN
- Coordinates: 35.369644, -86.200836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3696&lon=-86.2008&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): 6341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FU006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FU006

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flight control,aileron - flutter (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, production/design personnel (cause)
  - wing - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT HAD BEEN FLOWN FOR 4 FTLS AND THE PLT UPON LANDING MENTIONED A POSSIBLE CONTROL PROBLEM WITH THE OWNER AND BUILDER. THE BUILDER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE UP TO SHOW HOW FAST IT WOULD GO. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF FLT HE DOVE ATTHE RWY IN A FULL POWER SHALLOW DIVE AND ENTERED A LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL. THE RIGHT AILERON WAS SEEN FLUTTERING BY A WITNESS JUST BEFORE THE RIGHT WING MOVED. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME. THE ACFT CRASHED NOSE FIRST AND BOUNCED ABOUT 40 FT FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT ON THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RITZ A
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: NONE
- Engines: ZENOAH 250 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Gerald G. Ritz
- Airport: THA, Tullahoma

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 50 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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