# NTSB FTW85FRD03: Advanced Technology Predator 480, N480AG, Welsh, LA, August 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1985, 10:05 local (15:05 UTC)
- Place: Welsh, LA
- Coordinates: 30.230009, -92.809501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2300&lon=-92.8095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21584
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FRD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21584/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FRD03

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF APRX 20 FT AGL, THE ACFT ROLLED 20 TO 25 DEGS TO THE RIGHT. AFTER CORRECTING FOR THE ROLL, THE PLT STATED, THE ACFT SETTLED TO GROUND IMPACT. WITNESSES REPORTED THE GRASS AIRSTRIP USED FOR TAKEOFF CONTAINED 7 TO 8 INCH HIGH GRASS AND IT WAS WET FROM A 2 INCH RAINFALL ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. A SLIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND WAS ALSO REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN PRESENT AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N480AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N480AG-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N X-1, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PREDATOR 480 (PREDATOR 4)
- Registry model: [Atac PREDATOR 480](https://openairdocs.org/model/atac-predator-480) (registry code 05613GZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: X-1
- Airframe hours: 175
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-C1BD 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Advanced Technology Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 9, 1985, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,500 total, 75 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850821039789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850821039789A), Aug 21, 1985: Amtrtc PREDATOR480, Welsh, LA, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff from soft tall grass strip. Unable to climb after liftoff. Aborted and crashed off end of strip.

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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