# NTSB MKC84FU001: Pioneer Flightstar, Blytheville, AR, February 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1984, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Blytheville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.930408, -89.919342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9304&lon=-89.9193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FU001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT SPUN INTO THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 500 FT AGL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO BE IN SLOW FLT MAKINGTURNS TO THE RIGHT. AFTER 180 DEGREES OF TURN, THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN TO ABOUT 60 DEGREES AND THE LEFT WING WENT DOWN TO ABOUT 75 DEGREES OF BANK ANGLE. AFTER 4 AND 1/2 TURNS, THE ULTRALIGHT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN OPEN FIELD JUST EAST OF THE ARPT. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT, ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO TALKED TO HIM AT THE SCENE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS DEMONSTRATING SPINS TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS AND A PIECE OF THE PROPELLER CAME OFFAND HIT HIM IN THE HEAD KNOCKING OFF HIS HELMET RENDERING HIM UNCONSCIOUS. THIS HAPPENED AT 1200 FT, HE SAID IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW. THE PLTS HELMET WAS FOUND 8 FT BEHIND THE PLT AT THE SCENE. ONE BLADE OF THE PROPELLER WAS BROKEN OFF AT THE ROOT OF THE BLADE AND WAS FOUND ALONGSIDE THE PROPELLER IN THE WRECKAGE. ONE OF THE FIRST PERSONS ON THE SCENESAID THAT THE PLT HAD HIS HELMET ON AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIONEER FLIGHTSTAR
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 476
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA-440/A 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: James Terry Sheddan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BYH, 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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