- Date
- September 3, 1983, 07:11 local (12:11 UTC)
- Place
- Fall Creek, WI
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- UNREGWeedhopper B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 12367
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.
Loss of control - in flight
Aircraft performance,turn capability - erraticCause
Flight controls - not understoodCause
Lack of familiarity with aircraftCause
In flight collision with object
Object - wire,transmissionFactor
Analysis
The ultralight collided with a powerline during maneuvering after takeoff. The pilot had made a normal takeoff and circled a hayfield and decided to return for landing. The pilot stated he had trouble controlling the acft in a left turn. During a turn the acft made contact with a powerline. Sparks from the collision ignited fuel in the lines. The fuel tank exploded when the acft hit the ground.
Aircraft
- Registration
- UNREG
- Reported as
- Weedhopper B
- Category
- Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number
- NONE
- Engine
- Chotia 460-C, 25 horsepower, unknown
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- In-Flight
- Flight
- Personal · Part 103
- Registered owner
- Harold W. Fischer, Jr.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Unknown, Unknown
- Seat
- Center
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F