# NTSB FTW83FU003: Rotec Rally 2B, Keller, TX, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Keller, TX
- Coordinates: 32.930473, -97.219535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9305&lon=-97.2195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - ignition system - switched off (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, other
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - deployed inadvertently (cause)
  - spoiler extension - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER ASSEMBLING HIS ULTRALIGHT, THE PLT RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUCTION IN A 2 PLACE MODEL. AFTER HIS 2ND DUAL FLT, HE TOLD HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) HE HAD SOLOED HIS VEHICLE. THE CFI CAUTIONED HIM AGAINST FURTHER SOLO FLTS UNTIL HE WAS QUALIFIED &EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO WEAR A HELMET. 3 DAYS LATER, WITNESSES SAW THE VEHICLE CRUISING AT APRX 300 TO 500 FT AGL WHEN ITSUDDENLY ROLLED RIGHT & ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NONE OF THE WITNESSES COULD VERIFY THE ENG STATUS BEFORE IMPACT. NEITHER OF THE PROP BLADES HAD ROTATIONAL DAMAGE, BUT 1 BLADE BROKE WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND. THE ENG WAS STARTED WITH FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK & OPERATED NORMALLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MOUNTED ON THE CONTROL STICK NEXT TO THE TWIST GRIP THROTTLE & WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ENG WAS EQUIPPED WITH A CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH & COULD NOT BE STARTED BY A WINDMILLING PROP. THE PLT WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET & HAD SUFFERED EXTENSIVE HEAD INJURIES. HIS CFI HAD WARNED HIM THAT HIS SPOILER LINES WERE TOO TIGHT & COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED SPOILER ACTION WTIH AFT STICK MOVEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTEC RALLY 2B
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 64169
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Carl W. Locke

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 194 total, 2 in this make and model, 168 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 22 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.

---
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.