# NTSB FTW83FA288: Rotec Rally III, N148RE, Seven Points, TX, June 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1983, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Seven Points, TX
- Coordinates: 32.429031, -96.219116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4290&lon=-96.2191&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): 20737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA288

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN IN A ROTEC RALLEY III ULTRALIGHT, BUT HANDLED THE CONTROLS FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES. AFTER ASSEMBLING THIS ULTRALIGHT, N148RE, FROM A KIT, HE MADE THE NECESSARY GROUND CHECKS & PREFLT INSPECTION, THEN TOOK OFF ON THE 1ST TEST FLT. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE STARTED A LEFT TURN. WHILE IN THE TURN, HE ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DECREASE & THE LEFT WING BEGAN TO STALL. HOWEVER, AT THIS POINT, HE BECAME CONFUSED ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS & PULLED BACK ON THE STICK INSTEAD OF PUSHING IT FORWARD. THIS RESULTED IN A FULL STALL. BEFORE HE COULD RECOVER FROM THE STALL, THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ROTEC RALLY III WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN OVERHEAD CONTROL STICK. THE PLT WAS ACCUSTOMED TO FLYING CONVENTIONAL ACFT WITH A STICK ON THE FLOOR. HE STATED THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ACFT & THAT IT PERFORMED WELL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N148RE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N148RE-2011-04-18), registration cancelled 2011-04-18, S/N 25208, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTEC RALLY III
- Registry model: [Bailey John H ROTEC RALLY 3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bailey-john-h-rotec-rally-3) (registry code 05675JM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 25208
- Engines: ROTAX 48 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Bailey

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 3,003 total, 3,003 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830616025869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830616025869A), Jun 16, 1983: Amtr RALLY3, Seven Points, TX, Destroyed. No checkout in homebuilt ultralight. Got nose up in a turn on climbout. Confused on overhead stick use. Stalled.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.