# NTSB FTW83FU004: Pterodactyl Ascender II+, Haskell, OK, August 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1983, 06:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Haskell, OK
- Location: 35.8190° N, 95.6804° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Haskell, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8190&lon=-95.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FU004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FU004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT & HIS INSTRUCTOR WERE DEPARTING THE AIRPORT IN SEPARATE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES TO PROCEED ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FOR A FLY-IN. THE INSTRUCTOR SAW THE PLT TAKEOFF, BUT LOST SIGHT OF HIM MOMENTS LATER & DID NOT SEE THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, AN EYE WITNESS STATED THAT HE SAW THE ULTRALIGHT FLYING FROM THE AIRPORT, IN A RIGHT TURN. THE WITNESS HEARD THE ENG REV UP & SAW THE NOSE OF THE VEHICLE DROP. HE REPORTED THAT THE ULTRALIGHT ENTERED A STEEP SPIRAL & IMPACTED THE GROUND. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT DESCREPANCY WITH EITHER THE ENG OR THE AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II+ (ASCENDER I)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Freedom Wings Inc.
- Destination: NORMAN, OK
- Airport: 00K7, Haskell, runway 18, 3,960 × 27 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 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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