# NTSB DEN84FU006: Weedhopper B, Beresford, SD, May 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1984, 20:45 local (May 29, 1984, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Beresford, SD
- Coordinates: 43.069206, -96.779586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0692&lon=-96.7796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FU006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FU006

## 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, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT WAS OBSERVED FLYING WHEN IT SUDDENLY NOSED DOWN AND CRASHED. ONE WITNESS SAID HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING BEFORE THE NOSE DOWN. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE PISTONS WERE SCORED, TYPICAL OF HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WEEDHOPPER B
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 135
- Engines: CHOTIA 460 25 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Milton O. Hult
- Departed: BERESFORD, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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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