# NTSB MIA83FU002: Rotec Rally 2B Ultralight, Palm Bay, FL, April 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1983, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Palm Bay, FL
- Coordinates: 28.030347, -80.599777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0303&lon=-80.5998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuselage,attachment - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ROTEC RALLY 2B WAS AN UNREGISTERED ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN ASSEMBLED FROM A KIT. THE PLTS OF TWO OTHER ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES STATED THAT THEY WERE IN A VERY LOOSE FORMATION WITH THE ONE THAT HAD CRASHED. ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY WERE FLYING AT ABOUT 600 FT AGL WHEN THEY SAW THE RALLY 2B ENTER A LEFT TURN, THEN GO INTO A STEEP DIVE & CRASH. THEY OBSERVED THE WINGS FOLD UPWARD AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD LOST 100 TO 200 FT OF ALTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN ITS AUTHORIZED GROSS WT LIMITATION. THE FUEL CAPACITY WAS 3.5 GAL, BUT THE PLT HAD STRAPPED A 6 GAL AUXILIARY TANK ADJACENT TO HIS SEAT. IT WAS FOUND WITH APRX 4.5 GAL REMAINING. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE NOSE WIRE UPPER KING POST TANG HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE CRACK HAD INITIATED NEXT TO A HOLE & HAD PROGRESSED ALMOST ENTIRELY THRU THE TANG. ALSO, THE UPPER RUDDER CLEVIS HAD FAILED WHERE A CRACK FROM HIGH STRESS FATIGUE HAD PROGRESSED THRU 20% OF THE PART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTEC RALLY 2B ULTRALIGHT (RALLY 2B U)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1151548
- Engines: CUYUNA 430CC 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Rogenski Thomas F.
- Departed: X59V, VALKARIA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 9 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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