# NTSB LAX83FU003: Homebuilt None, Tracy, CA, May 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1983, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.730419, -121.419258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7304&lon=-121.4193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD BUILT THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE AT HOME BY USING THE PLANS OF A WEEDHOPPER. REPORTEDLY, HE HAD USED MATERIALS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SIMILAR TO OR STRONGER THAN THOSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED BY A WEEDHOPPER KIT. A FRIEND, WHO HAD FLOWN THE VEHICLE, STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY WELL BUILT & HE ENJOYED FLYING IT. PRIOR TO THE FATAL FLT, THE OWNER HAD TAXIED THE ULTRALIGHT, BUT HAD NEVER FLOWN IT NOR ANY OTHER KNOWN ACFT. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE REPORTLY SAID 'WELL, I HAD THIS PLANE FOR 6 MONTHS. TODAY, EITHER I AM GOING TO FLY IT OR SELL IT.' AFTER TAKING OFF, HE CLIMBED TO APRX 200 TO 300 FT & WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A LEFT TURN. AFTER ENTERING THE TURN, THE VEHICLE ENTERED A STEEP, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENG POWER LOSS OR PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT NONE
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: NONE
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Ronald Edwin Long
- Airport: 036, Tracy Municipal, runway 25, 3,418 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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