# NTSB DEN83LU002: Mitchell P-38, Olathe, CO, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1983, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Olathe, CO
- Coordinates: 38.599773, -107.979118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5998&lon=-107.9791&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): 16170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LU002

## Analysis

THE OWNER OF THE ULTRALIGHT REPORTED THAT THIS WAS THE PLTS 1ST FLT IN THIS VEHICLE. REPORTEDLY, HE WAS LEARNING TO FLY ULTRALIGHTS & HAD JUST COMPLETED SEVERAL HIGH SPEED RUNS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER STATED HE SAW THE ULTRALIGHT LIFT OFF & CLIMB TO APRX 50 TO 75 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS IN SLOW FLT WHEN HE BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THEN THE ULTRALIGHT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, STARTED TO MUSH & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED. THE ULTRALIGHT WAS PRIMARILY CONTROLLED BY CONVENTIONAL FLT CONTROLS, BUT IT ALSO COULD BE EFFECTED BY WEIGHT SHIFTING. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, THE PLT HAD NO FAA CERTIFICATION, BUT AT ONE TIME, WAS A STUDENT PLT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITCHELL P-38
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA 430 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 103
- Registered owner: Leonard Felix
- Airport: IC04, Olathe, runway 17, 3,300 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 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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