# NTSB FTW84FU002: Waspair Tomcat H.M. 81, Ozark, AR, October 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1983, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ozark, AR
- Coordinates: 35.490829, -93.839599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4908&lon=-93.8396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FU002

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (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)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS A PARAPLEGIC. HE HAD PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED A CESSNA 172 & HAD IT MODIFIED FOR HAND CONTROL. HOWEVER, HE HAD DISCONTINUED INSTRUCTION IN THE PLANE WHEN HE WAS DENIED A MEDICAL WAIVER ON THE GROUNDS THAT HE HAD TO TAKE VALIUM AS A MUSCLE RELAXANT. LATER, IN 1982, HE PURCHASED PLANS FOR A WASPAIR TOMCAT, ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE AFTER ASSEMBLING THE ULTRALIGHT, THE PLT DECIDED TO PRACTICE 'CROW-HOPS' ON THE LOCAL ARPT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE WINDS WERE NORTHERLY AT ABOUT 10 GUSTING UP TO 30 KTS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD CHANGED DIRECTION OF HIGH SPEED RUNS TWICE BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. REPORTEDLY, ON ITS 1ST TAKEOFF, THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED A GUSTY X-WIND. AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 40 FT AGL, HE LOST CONTROL & THE VEHICLE IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A TILTING CANARD THAT PROVIDED BOTH PITCH & YAW CONTROL. THE CANARD WAS THE ONLY MOVABLE CONTROL SURFACE & WAS USED FOR AIRBORNE MANEUVERS. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT FOR THE VEHICLE. THE PLT'S INSTRUCTOR HAD NOT ENDORSED HIM FOR THIS FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WASPAIR TOMCAT H.M. 81 (TOMCAT H.M)
- Category: Ultralight
- Engines: CUYUNA UII-2 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 103
- Registered owner: Dennis Brooks
- Airport: 7M5, Ozark-Franklin County, runway 4, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 30 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

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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