# NTSB LAX84FU034: Mitchell A-10, Corning, CA, September 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1984, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Corning, CA
- Coordinates: 39.919639, -122.280967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9196&lon=-122.2810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FU034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FU034

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT HAD RECENTLY BEEN PURCHASED BY THE NEW OWNER WHO RECEIVED NO INSTRUCTION IN ITS OPERATION. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE TOLD HIS WIFE HE WAS JUST GOING TO TAXI-TEST THE VEHICLE. SHE SAID THERE WAS NO INTENT TO FLY. WHEN SHENO LONGER HEARD OR SAW THE VEHICLE A SEARCH WAS STARTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND ABOUT 1 MILE NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT. NORECORDS WERE FOUND TO INDICATE THAT THE PLT HAD ANY FLT EXPERIENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED THAT THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND LEFT WING LOW AND NOSE DOWN. TOTAL LENGTH OF THE GROUND SCAR WAS 10 FT. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Mitchell A-10
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 1048
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: ZENOAH 250 23 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: C. H. Fleming

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 12 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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