# NTSB CHI83LU011: Pioneer Flightstar, Robinson, IL, August 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1983, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Robinson, IL
- Coordinates: 38.999977, -87.739494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0000&lon=-87.7395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LU011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LU011

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - other (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKING OFF, HE STAYED LOW OVER FARM FIELDS. HE REPORTED THAT HE TRAVELED ABOUT 1 1/4 MI FROM THE ARPT & DECIDED TO RETURN & LAND. HOWEVER, DURING A LEFT TURN, THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE CRASHED. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & DID NOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT AFTER REGAINING CONSCIOUSNESS. A GROUND WITNESS REPORTED THE ULTRALIGHT WAS FLYING SLOW WHEN THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN & IT ENTERED A SPIRAL & HIT THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT HE BEGAN THE TURN WHILE AT APRX 75 TO 100 FT AGL & WAS INCREASING POWER WHEN THE RIGHT WING CAME UP & THE NOSE DROPPED. AN EXAM OF THE FLT CONTROLS SHOWED CONTINUITY THRU-OUT THE SYS. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENG REVEALED THE URETHANE HOSE WAS PINCHED & MELTED AT A LOCATION BETWEEN THE ENG CASE & THE PULSATING FUEL PUMP. A FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ON A 50 DEG DAY, THE TEMP IN THAT AREA WOULD BE APRX 175 TO 200 DEG & THAT THE HOSE WOULD COLLAPSE & BECOME SEATED TOGETHER AT 200 DEG. THE TEMPERATURE ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 98 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIONEER FLIGHTSTAR
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 474
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA-440B 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Clark D. Pulliam
- Departed: RSV, ROBINSON, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 220 total, 9 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 84 °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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