# NTSB LAX85LA081: Weedhopper Super Nova II, N4673D, Lakeside, CA, December 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1984, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Lakeside, CA
- Coordinates: 32.90073, -116.889961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9007&lon=-116.8900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,pump - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT ACFT LOST POWER ON TAKEOFF & STALLED INTO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO THE BUILDER/PLT THE CAPILLARY TYPE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ON THE TAKEOFF CLIMB CAUSING FUEL STARVATION. HE FAILED TO RECOVER FROM A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE IN TIME TO PREVENT THE STALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4673D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4673D-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 0103, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEEDHOPPER SUPER NOVA II (SUPER NOVA)
- Registry model: [Johnson Rusty E WEEDHOPPER NOVA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-rusty-e-weedhopper-nova-ii) (registry code 05644JF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 103
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: ROTAX 503 48 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rusty E. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE, LAKESIDE, CA
- Airport: NONE, Vigilante Ultra Air Park, runway 31, 1,200 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 161 total, 24 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841222067719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841222067719A), Dec 22, 1984: Amtr WEEDHOPPER2, Lakeside, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel pump malfunctioned after takeoff. Did not lower pitch in time to prevent stall. Impacted ground.

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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