# NTSB LAX84FU018: Mitchell T10, Sparks, NV, November 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1983, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparks, NV
- Coordinates: 39.540153, -119.749557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5402&lon=-119.7496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FU018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FU018

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE IN STRAIGHT & LEVEL FLT. ACCORDING TO THEM, THE VEHICLE BEGAN A PITCH OSCILLATION, THEN WENT INTO A STEEP, RIGHT DESCENDING SPIRAL UNTIL IT STRUCK THE GROUND. ANOTHER PLT, WHO WAS FLYING IN THE VICINITY REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS CALM & THE WAS NO TURBULENCE. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE OWNER THOUGHT THAT THE STUDENT'S FOOT MIGHT HAVE BECAME 'HOOKED' BETWEEN HIS RIGHT RUDDER PEDAL & PART OF THE VEHICLES STRUCTURE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT VERTIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MITCHELL T10
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: T1034
- Airframe hours: 8
- Engines: ROTAX 436.6 CC 38 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 103
- Registered owner: William P. Morlang

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,100 total, 9 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 5 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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