# NTSB MIA84FU003: Pterodactyl Ascender II, Palm Bay, FL, April 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1984, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Palm Bay, FL
- Coordinates: 28.029287, -80.60083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0293&lon=-80.6008&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): 31019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, cruise - normal
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - wing - overload
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLTS OF 2 ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES WERE ACCOMPANYING EACH OTHER & WERE FLYING WEST AT 500 FT AGL IN CALM AIR WHEN AN ACFT CROSSED AHEAD OF THEIR FLT PATH. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATE TO BE FLYING AT ABOUT 140 KTS & APRX 40 FT ABOVE THE ULTRALIGHTS' ALT. THE SURVIVING PLT STATED THAT HE CLIMBED TO CROSS ABOVE THE ACFT'S FLT PATH. HOWEVER, THE OTHER ULTRALIGHT, A PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II, CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD & CROSSED ABOUT 10 SEC BEHIND THE ACFT. AFTER CROSSING THE ACFT'S FLT PATH, THE ASCENDER WAS SEEN TO SLOW DOWN & DRIFT TO THE RIGHT, THEN ENTER A SPIN & CRASH. REPORTEDLY, A PORTION OF THE RIGHT WING HAD FAILED BEFORE THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED. NO PREEXISTING CRACKS WERE FOUND. ALL FACTURES WERE TYPICAL OF THOSE PRODUCED BY OVERSTRESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II (ASCENDER I)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA 430 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Robert W. Roper

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 6 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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