# NTSB FTW84LU001: Pterodactyl Ascender II, Manvel, TX, October 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1983, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Manvel, TX
- Coordinates: 29.479894, -95.350769 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4799&lon=-95.3508&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): 21489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LU001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, JUST AFTER HE PASSED THE END OF THE RWY. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE RWY & THE ENG STOPPED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE STRUCK A STRAND OF BARBED WIRE WHICH WAS MOUNTED ABOUT 30 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE WIRE WAS OVER ADJOINING PROPERLY, A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER HITTING THE WIRE, THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED ON THE RWY. THE PLT DID NOT SEE THE WIRE UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT & WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN INSTALLED THERE. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II (ASCENDER I)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: CUYUNA UL2-02 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Robert M. Wolff
- Airport: runway 33, 800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 267 total, 37 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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