# NTSB CHI84LU006: Pterodactyl Fledgling, Hartford, WI, July 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1984, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Hartford, WI
- Location: 43.3225° N, 88.3777° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hartford, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3225&lon=-88.3777&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LU006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LU006

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system - shorted (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT WAS IN THE TAKEOFF CLIMB AT ABOUT 75 FT AGL WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. DURING THE EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT LANDED HARD ON UPSLOPING TERRAIN & THE NOSE GEAR FAILED IN OVERLOAD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN IGNITION WIRE WAS WORN AND HAD SHORTED TO THE ACFT FRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL FLEDGLING
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA 429 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Michael B. Mcarthey
- Registered owner: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 76 total, 76 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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