# NTSB LAX83FU010: Mitchell A-10, Porterville, CA, July 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1983, 20:25 local (Jul 11, 1983, 03:25 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.960544, -118.920425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9605&lon=-118.9204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FU010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FU010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT OF THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE CLIMBED TO AN ALTITUDE OF 700 FT AGL IN THE PATTERN & TURNED DOWNWIND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S PARTNER, THE ULTRALIGHT BEGAN A DUTCH ROLL TYPE OF MANEUVER, AND AFTER SEVERAL OSCILLATIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED & ENTERED A SPIN TO THE LEFT. FOUR OTHER WITNESSES ALSO OBSERVED PARTS OF THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS. ACCORDING TO THEM, THE VEHICLE'S WINGS BEGAN ROCKING ON DOWNWIND, THEN IT ENTERED A SPIN. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PLT HAD APRX 40 HRS OF FIXED WING FLT TRAINING ABOUT 9 YRS PREVIOUSLY. ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF PLT FOR MITCHELL ACFT, THE PLT HAD COMPLETED A 1 WEEK GROUND SCHOOL COURSE & HAD 5.3 HRS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION IN A 2 PLACE VERSION OF THE ULTRALIGHT. ON HIS 1ST SOLO FLT, THE PLT DID NOT PERFORM SATISFACTORILY, DUE TO A PANIC REACTION & WAS ADVISED NOT TO FLY SOLO UNTIL AFTER ADDITIONAL DUAL INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITCHELL A-10
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 1030
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: ZENOAH G25B-1 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Airspace, Inc.
- Airport: PTV, Porterville, runway 3, 6,000 × 146 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 47 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 40 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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