# NTSB NYC83FU003: Ultralight Flight Phantom, Jaffrey, NH, April 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1983, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Jaffrey, NH
- Location: 42.8114° N, 72.0234° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jaffrey, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8114&lon=-72.0234&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): 35125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - mixture control,linkage - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT WAS ADVISED BY OTHERS THAT THE ENG ON HIS NEWLY ASSEMBLED ULTRALIGHT DID NOT'SOUND RIGHT.' AFTER CHECKING HE NOTED THAT FULL POWER COULD NOT BE OBTAINED FROM THE ENG. HOWEVER, ENOUGH POWER WAS AVAILABLE TO FLY A NUMBER OF LOCAL FLTS. HE ALSO NOTED BLACK SOOTY DEPOSITS ON THE SPARK PLUGS & THAT THE ENG AIR INTAKEFILTER WAS SOAKED WITH FUEL. THIS FLT WAS TO FURTHER TROUBLESHOOT THE ENG PROBLEM. THE ENG LOST POWER AT 200 FT AGL & THE PLT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. THE PLT OVERFLEW AN OPEN FIELD & THE VEHICLE STALLED AVOIDING RISING TERRAIN & TREES. THE PLUNGER OF THE STARTING MIXTURE ENRICHMENT SYSTEM/FUNCTIONS AS A CHOKE) WAS FOUND BOUND UP AS IT PASSED THROUGH THE CARB HOUSING WHILE MOVING TO THE 'DESENGAGED' POSITION. THE ACTUATOR CABLE HOUSING FLEXED UNDERNEATH THE FIBERGLASS NOSE FAIRING WHEN THE PLUNGER STOPPED MOVING, ALLOWING THE KNOB TO RETURN CLOSE TO ITS NORMAL 'CHOKE-OFF' POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ULTRALIGHT FLIGHT PHANTOM
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: KAWASAKI 440-2A 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Mr. George Duclos
- Airport: AFN, Jaffrey Municipal, runway 34, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 12 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EEN, 13 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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