# NTSB MKC84LU006: Rotec Rally 3, Grand Island, NE, July 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1984, 21:00 local (Jul 17, 1984, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Grand Island, NE
- Coordinates: 40.949893, -98.289733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9499&lon=-98.2897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LU006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LU006

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, dual student
  - go-around - performed, dual student
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - lift-off
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not possible
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE THE FLT, THE INSTRUCTOR SAW A THUNDERSTORM APPROXIMATETLY 20 MI NORTH OF THE FIELD, MOVING SLOWLY TO THE SOUTH-SOUTHEAST. HE & THE STUDENT ELECTED TO MAKE A SHORT FLT. AFTER TAKING OFF, THEY MADE A PRACTICE FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 1 MI NORTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE POINT. AFTER THE FORCED LANDING, THEY START ANOTHER TAKEOFF RUN. AT THE SAME TIME THE TAIL WAS RAISED DURING THE ROLL, A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE AIR WAS DEAD CALM, THEN 1 SEC LATER, IT GUSTED TO 40 MPH. HE SAID THAT THE ULTRALIGHT WENT STRAIGHT UP IN A FLAT CLIMB, MUCH LIKE A HELICOPTER. AFTER REACHING AN ESTIMATED 200 FT AGL, THE ROUGH AIR REPORTEDLY ROLLED THE ULTRALIGHT INTO A 90 DEG LEFT BANK & IT BEGAN A FAST DESCENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE IMPACTED IN A SHALLOW POND WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. THE STUDENT WAS WEARING A MOTORCYCLE HELMET & STATED THAT IT SAVED HIM FROM HAVING A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTEC RALLY 3
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX ? 48 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 103
- Registered owner: Greg Walnofer
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 592 total, 20 in this make and model, 547 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F

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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