# NTSB LAX83FU013: Midwest Microlites - Tomcat, Roseville, CA, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Roseville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.759296, -121.280441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7593&lon=-121.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FU013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FU013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD WHICH WAS ADJACENT TO A RICE FIELD. DURING THE LANDING MANEUVER, THE PLT ENTERED A LEFT TURN OVER THE RICE FIELD. AS HE CONTINUED THE TURN OVER THE PLOWED FIELD, A THERMAL WAS ENCOUNTERED & THE VEHICLE ENTERED A 45 DEG RIGHT BANK. HE REPORTED THAT WHEN THE 'THERMAL CEASED', THE AIRSPEED HAD DECREASED TO WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE STEEP BANK ANGLE. REPORTEDLY, THE BANK ANGLE REMAINED CONSTANT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE ENG & VEHICLE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. A GROUND WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM APRX 270 DEG AT 10 KTS. A LEVEE WAS LOCATED NEXT TO THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MIDWEST MICROLITES - TOMCAT
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA 1 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Steve Benadek

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

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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