# NTSB NYC83FU002: CGS Hawk, East Hanover, NJ, April 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1983, 15:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: East Hanover, NJ
- Location: 40.8201° N, 74.3649° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of East Hanover, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8201&lon=-74.3649&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - reduction gear assy,propeller shaft - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - separation (contributing factor)
  - stabilizer - other
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE PLT HEARD A BANG AS THE PROPELLER (PROP), ATTACHING PULLEY & REDUCTION DRIVE BELTS SEPARATED, WHILE THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 130 FT AGL. AT THAT TIME. THE ENG BEGAN OVERSPEEDING, THE NOSE PITCHED UP & THE ULTRALIGHT BANKED TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LOWER THE NOSE & START A LEFT TURN TO AVOID A POWER LINE. HOWEVER, AS THE LEFT TURN WAS STARTED, HE LOST CONTROL & THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE PROP SHAFT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE, THE TAIL BOOM, WHICH HOUSED THE ELEVATOR & RUDDER CONTROLS, HAD COME APART NEAR THE LOCATION WHERE THE PROP WAS INSTALLED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE REDUCTION MOUNT ASSEMBLY WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR OVERHAUL AFTER A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. IT WAS NOT KNOWN WHETHER OR NOT THE PROP SHAFT WAS REPLACED OR REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THICK WASHERS, IN PLACE OF SHIMS, HAD BEEN USED ON THE REDUCTION MOUNT ASSY TO ADJUST THE BELT TENSION. PREIMPACT TENSION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CGS HAWK
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: H-2-24-C
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 33 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Steven Fried
- Airport: N58, Hanover, runway 27, 1,957 × 38 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 130 total, 100 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMU, 8 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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