# NTSB LAX83LU005: Wizard W-1, Shafter, CA, May 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1983, 19:50 local (May 19, 1983, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Shafter, CA
- Coordinates: 35.489906, -119.29953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4899&lon=-119.2995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LU005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LU005

## Analysis

THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THIS MISHAP WAS A WIZARD W-1 ULTRALIGHT WHICH WAS ASSEMBLED FROM A KIT SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER, US, INC. IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE CONTROLLER BY 'WEIGHT SHIFTS' OF THE PLT, AND FEATURED A GROUND ADJUSTABLE FIXED HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & A MOVABLE OPERATOR HARNESS ATTACH POINT FOR TRIM ADJUSTMENT. THE PLT/OPERATOR HAD MADE 'CROW HOPS' FOR APRX 15 MIN TO ADJUST THE VEHICLE TRIM PRIOR TO TAKING OFF & PERFORMING HIGHER FLT. AFTER A NORMAL TAKEOFF RUN & DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 50 FT. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE TRIM WAS STILL NOT CORRECT & THE VEHICLE STALLED, THEN ENTERED A DESCENT & CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A HARD LANDING. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. THE OPERATER, SUSPENDED FROM A TURBULAR FRAME BY A WIRE & HARNESS ONLY, CONTACTED THE GROUND & RECEIVED BACK & NECK INJURIES. THE OPERATOR STATED THE ENG STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HE WAS A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR FOR WIZARD ULTRALIGHTS & HAD ACCUMULATED 40 OF 50 HRS IN THE WIZARD W-1.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WIZARD W-1
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: YAMAHA 100 CC 15 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Donald E.Bledsoe
- Registered owner: N/A
- Airport: MIT, Shafter, runway 34, 2,980 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 50 total, 40 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 10 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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