# NTSB CHI83LU012: Weedhopper B, Fall Creek, WI, September 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1983, 07:11 local (12:11 UTC)
- Place: Fall Creek, WI
- Coordinates: 44.759696, -91.269584 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7597&lon=-91.2696&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): 12367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LU012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LU012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft performance,turn capability - erratic (cause)
  - flight controls - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WEEDHOPPER B
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: NONE
- Engines: 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.

- 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

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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