- Date
- August 20, 1983, 19:45 local (Aug 21, 1983, 00:45 UTC)
- Place
- St. Joseph, IL
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- UNREGWeedhopper B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 12039
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The ultralight vehicle collided with the ground after the left wing folded up at about 1000 ft AGL. Witnesses said the ultralight was traveling east when the wing collapsed or folded back. Reportedly, it pitched up & the right wing tip went up. The vehicle then pitched down and collided with the ground after a one turn spin. The tang that attached the left forward wing strut to the leading edge of the wing was broken. The aluminum strap was examined. It exhibited 94 percent fatigue failure when separation occurred. The pilot had been given new tangs made of steel for the acft. These tangs were not installed.
Aircraft
- Registration
- UNREG
- Reported as
- Weedhopper B
- Category
- Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engine
- Chotia 460, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 103
- Registered owner
- Thomas Melchi
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 27
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Unknown
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 90 total · 90 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 88 °F