# NTSB MIA83FU001: Manta Foxbat, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, March 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1983, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.009027, -80.460678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0090&lon=-80.4607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FU001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - disconnected (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD RECEIVED ABOUT 5 HRS OF GROUND HANDLING INSTUCTIONS BEFORE HE FLEW THE FOXBAT, ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE. THE ULTRALIGHT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WEIGHT SHIFT CONTROL SYS. WHILE LANDING ON HIS 1ST FLT WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT FAILED TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE FLARED TO LAND. ACCORDING TO RELATIVES, THE PLT HAD ABOUT 93 HOURS OF PREVIOUS FLT TIME, BUT THIS WAS HIS 1ST FLT IN A WEIGHT SHIFT ULTRALIGHT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT HAD HIS SEAT BELT FASTENED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FLT; HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT WAS FOUND UNBUCKLED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE AREA REVEALED THE PLT WAS EJECTED FROM THE SEAT DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE & WAS FATALLY INJURED BY THE PROPELLER. TESTING OF THE SEAT BELT REVEALED THAT IT WOULD RELEASE WHEN SUBJECTED TO A SUDDEN PULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MANTA FOXBAT
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA 430 CC 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Gordon Cook
- Airport: runway 18, 1,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 93 total, 55 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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