# NTSB DCA82AA027: Pterodactyl Ascender, Near Largo, MD, June 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1982, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Near Largo, MD
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA82AA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA82AA027

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing,bracing wire - overload
  - wing,spar - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PREPARING FOR A FLIGHT TO FILM A SEGMENT FOR A TV PROGRAM ABOUT ULTRALIGHTS,THE PILOT COMPLETED A SERIES OF TAXI TESTS & CLIMBS TO ABOUT 50FT AGL FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE LANDING. HE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INSTRUCTED TO USE NO MORE THAN3/4 POWER & NEVER FLY BEYOND VNE OF 55MPH. HE THEN COMMENCED A TAKEOFF & STEEP CLIMB AT FULL POWER & PROCEEDED TO MAKE SOME TURNS,CLIMBS & DESCENTS FROM ABOUT 500-1000FT. THE ULTRALIGHT THEN ENTERED A FULL POWER DESCENT & BEGAN A PITCH OSCILLATION FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT WING. IN REVIEWING A VIDEO TAPE,IT APPEARED THAT THE PILOT LOST HIS FOOTING ON THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING BAR & WAS TOSSED FORWARD DURING THE PITCH OSCILLATION. THE PILOT WAS LIFTED UP OUT OF HIS SEAT DURING THE OSCILLATION. BOTH WINGS FOLDED & THE PILOT FELL CLEAR OF THE ULTRALIGHT. THE PILOT DID NOTHAVE HIS SEAT HARNESS FASTENED. NO PILOT CERTIFICATE HAD EVER BEEN ISSUED TO THE PILOT. FEDERAL REGULATIONS DO NOT REQUIRE A PILOT OF AN ULTRALIGHT TO RECEIVE TRAINING OR POSSESS AN AERONAUTICAL RATING IN THIS CATEGORY OF AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: NONE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL ASCENDER
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 894
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: CUYUNA 430D 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ultralight East, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ultralight East, Inc.
- Departed: NEAR LARGO, MD
- Destination: NEAR LARGO, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; medical: unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 8 nm away

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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