# NTSB CHI83FU009: Weedhopper B, St. Joseph, IL, August 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 19:45 local (Aug 21, 1983, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: St. Joseph, IL
- Coordinates: 40.140666, -88.06015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1407&lon=-88.0601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FU009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FU009

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - maintenance,modification - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - fatigue (cause)
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WEEDHOPPER B
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CHOTIA 460 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Thomas Melchi

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- 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

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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