# NTSB FTW83FU002: Pterodactyl Ascenger II+, Round Rock, TX, July 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1983, 15:16 local (20:16 UTC)
- Place: Round Rock, TX
- Coordinates: 30.510482, -97.669586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5105&lon=-97.6696&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): 20770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,bracing wire - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECENTLY BUILT & HAD BEEN FLOWN ONCE BY AN EXPERIENCED ULTRALIGHT PLT. HE REPORTED THERE WERE NO DISCREPANCIES IN THE VEHICLE'S ASSEMBLY OR FLT CHARACTERISTICS. THE OWNER & 2 OTHER PERSONNEL MET AT THE FLYING AREA & ASSEMBLED THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY ONE WITH FLYING EXPERIENCE TOOK OFF & MADE SEVERAL PASSES OVER THE AREA. ON THE LAST PASS, HE WAVED BOTH HANDS & YELLED WHAT 1 WITNESS THOUGHT WAS 'I LOVE IT.' SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE TURNED INTO THE WIND & BEGAN OSCILLATING IN PITCH. THE NOSE THEN PITCHED UP TO OR BEYOND A VERTICLE ATTITUDE & THE VEHICLE BEGAN DESCENDING TAIL 1ST, THEN CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE WINGS FOLDED, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHETHER THE WINGS FOLDED BEFORE OR AFTER THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE TAIL SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR A TAIL SLIDE. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT 1 LANDING WIRE & ALL 4 CANARD BRACE WIRES HAD SEPARATED FROM OVERLOAD. THE WIND WAS GUSTINGTO 20 KTS, A DUST DEVIL WAS SEEN IN THE VICINITY & SVRL MORE-EXPERIENCED PLTS HAD STOPPED FLYING DUE TO THE WINDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL ASCENGER II+ (ASCENGER I)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: CUYUNA UL 202 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: James Kirby
- Airport: Edville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 6 total, 6 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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