# NTSB FTW85FRA03: Condor Condor III, Hockley, TX, April 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1985, 18:50 local (Apr 19, 1985, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Hockley, TX
- Coordinates: 30.040502, -95.809074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0405&lon=-95.8091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FRA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FRA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,wing rib - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT. WITNESSES STATED THE ULTRALIGHT WAS AIRBORNE FOR APRX 5 MINUTES BEFORE A LOUD 'POP' WAS HEARD AND IT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN SPIRAL. INSPECTION OF THE ULTRALIGHT REVEALED A FAILED BOLT IN THE REAR SPAR OF THE LEFT WING. THE BOLT WAS INTENDED TO HOLD A BRACE BETWEEN THE REAR WING SPAR AND THE FRONT WING SPAR, AND ALSO A BRACE FROM THE LEFT REAR WING SPAR TO THE TAIL SECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CONDOR AIRCRAFT CONDOR III
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: UKN
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA440A030530 37 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Frank Lee Volta
- Registered owner: Not Registered

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 25 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.

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