# NTSB DEN83LU001: Intl Ultralight Banshee, St. George, UT, May 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1983, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: St. George, UT
- Coordinates: 37.179267, -113.600227 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1793&lon=-113.6002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LU001

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - wing,bracing wire - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, standing
  - fuel system,tank - failure,total

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED AT AN ABANDONED ARPT, THEN WAS TEST FLOWN BY AN INTERNATIONAL ULTRALIGHT COMPANY SALESMAN. THE NON-RATED PLT, WHO WAS PLANNING TO BUY THE ULTRALIGHT, THEN FLEW THE VEHICLE TO FAMILIARIZE HIMSELF WITH ITS FLT CHARACTERISTICS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AFTER FLYING A SHORT TIME, THE PLT STARTED AN APCH TO LAND. WHEN THE ULTRALIGHT WAS ABOUT 50 TO 60 FT AGL, A WING FOLDED & THE VEHICLE CRASHED & BURNED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A STRUCTURAL CABLE HAD FAILED AT A SWEDGE FITTING. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF NON-UNIFORM CRIMPING OF THE SWEDGE FITTING. TWO TYPES OF FRACTURES WERE FOUND WHERE THE CABLE FAILED (SHEAR & DUCTILE). THE SHEAR FAILURE WAS PREDOMINANTLY LOCATED AT THE SURFACE OF 1 BUNDLE OF WIRE STRANDS AT THE SWEDGE FITTING. THE DUCTILE FRACTURES WERE NOTED ON THE REMAINING INTERNAL STRANDS. THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WAS INSTALLED ABOVE THE PLT. ON IMPACT, IT RUPTURED & SPILLED FUEL ON THE PLT & HOT ENG. THE PLT RECEIVED FATAL BURNS; ULTRALIGHT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: INTL ULTRALIGHT BANSHEE
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA UL 11-02 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Inter. Ultralight Aviation Inc
- Airport: Abandoned Air Strip, runway 36, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 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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