# NTSB CHI83FU003: Sunburst 1, Fraser, MI, June 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1983, 20:08 local (Jun 9, 1983, 00:08 UTC)
- Place: Fraser, MI
- Coordinates: 42.536342, -82.950032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5363&lon=-82.9500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - wing,bracing wire - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THIS ULTRALIGHT WAS 1 OF 3 THAT TOOK OFF ON RWY 18, THEN TURNED 180 DEG TO A NORTHERLY HEADING. HE REPORTED THAT THE ULTRALIGHT WAS IN LEVEL FLT AT APRX 200 FT WHEN IT SUDDENLY PITCHED NOSE DOWN, THEN IT NOSED UP. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, HE NOTICED THAT THE LEFT WING WAS PARTIALLY BROKEN & THE OUTERMOST PART OF THE WING WAS FLAPPING INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE MOTION OF THE REST OF THE ACFT. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE ULTRALIGHT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, BECAME INVERTED & CRASHED. REPORTEDLY, THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN 1 OF THE WING SUPPORT WIRES SEPARATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SUNBURST 1
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: None
- Departed: D13, FRASER, MI
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: D13, Fraser, runway 18, 2,550 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- 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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