# NTSB MKC83FU005: Airmass Sunburst, Carthage, MO, August 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1983, 19:20 local (Aug 23, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Carthage, MO
- Coordinates: 37.160156, -94.309684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1602&lon=-94.3097&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): 33361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FU005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FU005

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - wing,bracing wire - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING SEVERAL TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS, THE PLT CIRCLED THE ARPT, THEN DEPARTED IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FLYING TOWARD A STORM THAT WAS APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH. HE ESTIMATED THE ULTRALIGHT WAS AT APRX 300 FT AGL WHEN IT TURNED ABOUT 30 DEG LEFT, THEN THE RIGHT WING FOLDED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE IMPACTED IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. WITNESSES THAT WERE NEARBY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTHWEST, JUST PRIOR TO THE OCCURRENCE, THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS SHIFTED TO THE NORTHEAST & WERE VERY STRONG, REPORTEDLY GUSTING TO 40 KTS. STRONG STORM CELLS WITH TOPS TO 50,000 FT WERE REPORTED WITHIN 22 MI. SEVERAL FLYING & LANDING WIRES WERE FOUND BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIRMASS SUNBURST
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Ronald W. Maxwell
- Departed: H20, CARTHAGE, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 88 total, 30 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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