# NTSB DEN83LU004: Starflight Starfire, Grand Junction, CO, August 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1983, 18:30 local (Aug 30, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Coordinates: 39.079982, -108.550102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0800&lon=-108.5501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LU004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LU004

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS TRYING TO GET THE FEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TAKING IT ABOUT 1 FOOT OFF THE GROUND BEFORE SETTING IT BACK DOWN. ON THE FINAL TAKEOFF, THE WIND LIFTED THE ACFT UP TO ABOUT 15-20 FEET AND IT STALLED. AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER, THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY, THE ACFT IS CONTROLLED BY THE PILOT SHIFTING HIS WEIGHT. THERE ARE NO ELEVATOR OR AILERON CONTROLS. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN ANY TYPE ACFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - performed, pilot in command
  - climb - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STARFLIGHT STARFIRE
- Category: Ultralight
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: CUYUNA UNKNOWN 20 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Pat Ray Mcclane

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 6 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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