MKC83FU007

NTSB accident investigation · Airmass Sunburst · Goddard, KS · September 11, 1983

Accident · Serious injuriesFinal report
Date
September 11, 1983, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
Place
Goddard, KS
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
UNREGAirmass Sunburst
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
33363

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectTakeoff
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selectedPilot in commandCause
Terrain condition - high vegetationFactor
Terrain condition - uphillFactor
Weather condition - tailwindFactor
Aborted takeoff - not performedPilot in commandCause
Terrain condition - high obstruction(s)Factor
Maneuver - performedPilot in command
Object - tree(s)Factor
Clearance - misjudgedPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

The plt landed in a vacant field, aprx 1500 ft long, surrounded by a row of trees. Before initiating a takeoff, he made a ground reconnaissance of the area. The field was covered with grass aprx 6 to 9 inches tall & was oriented on a north-south direction. There was a 2% upslope from either end of the field toward the center. Also, there was a row of 20 ft trees along the east edge of the field & taller trees, aprx 30 ft high, at the north end. The plt said the wind was negligible, so he elected to takeoff to the north. During takeoff, the ultralight vehicle rolled aprx 750 ft before lifting off. By this time, the plt became concerned about clearing the 30 ft trees at the end of the field & made a right turn. However, during the right turn, the right wing hit a 20 ft tree & the vehicle crashed. The plt noticed no malfunction or failure, except for a loss of takeoff performance. The manufacturer's listed takeoff distance was 75 to 100 ft. aprx 7 mi east at wichita, KS, the 1649 CDT wind was from 190 deg at 7 KTS.

Aircraft

Registration
UNREG
Reported as
Airmass Sunburst
Category
Ultralight, amateur-built
Engine
Cuyuna 430CC, 30 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 103
Registered owner
Roger Brown
Airport
runway 36, 1,500 × ft, grass/turf

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
41
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Expired
Seat
Center

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
190° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
81 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
ICT, 7 nm away