# NTSB LAX84FU019: Delts Wing Kites Lazor 170, El Mirage, CA, November 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1983, 09:59 local (17:59 UTC)
- Place: El Mirage, CA
- Coordinates: 34.659202, -117.510818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6592&lon=-117.5108&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): 24008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FU019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FU019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE WEIGHT SHIFT CONTROLLED, ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE HAD JUST RECENTLY BEEN BUILT. THE OWNER & THE PLT HAD AGREED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO FLY THE VEHICLE ON THE INITIAL TEST. THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TAXIING EXCESSIVELY FAST, AND REPORTEDLY, HE MADE 1 OR 2 GROUND LOOPS WHILE TAXIING. AFTER HE TAXIED THE VEHICLE APRX 1/2 TO 1 HR, IT BECAME AIRBORNE. THE OWNER REPORTED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE VEHICLE LEVELED OUT AT ABOUT 50 AGL, THEN WENT ALMOST STRAIGHT UP TO APRX 100 TO 150 FT. IT THEN TURNED & ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED IN A NEARLY STRAIGHT-DOWN ATTITUDE. ANOTHER PLT HAD TEST FLOWN THE VEHICLE EARLIER IN THE DAY. HE REPORTED THAT THE CONTROLS RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE PLT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT HAD A BALLOON RATING & WAS INDORSED FOR SOLO FLTS IN A CESSNA 172; HOWEVER, HE HAD NO PREVIOUS ULTRALIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Delts Wing Kites LAZOR 170
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 104
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: ROBIN EC34PM 34 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Steven Vermillion
- Registered owner: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 65 total, 12 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDW, 20 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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