# NTSB NYC83FU004: Vector 610, Turners Falls, MA, May 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1983, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Turners Falls, MA
- Location: 42.5967° N, 72.5565° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Turners Falls, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5967&lon=-72.5565&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FU004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FU004

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,wingtip - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON 4/18/83, THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BY HIGH WINDS. THIS NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT & REAR SPARS AS WELL AS THE BATTENS WHICH PROVIDED CURVATURE TO THE UPPER WING SURFACE. PRIOR TO A TEST FLT, A WEIGHTED TAIL WHEEL WAS ALSO INSTALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, A TEST PLT TOOK OFF TO EVALUATE THE ULTRALIGHT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THAT THE PLT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 1000 FT, THEN BEGAN A SERIES OF MANEUVERS. WHILE PERFORMING A MANEUVER, SIMILAR TO A LAZY 8, WITH BANK ANGLES UP TO 60 TO 90 DEG, THE ULTRALIGHT'S LEFT WING FOLDED. THE VEHICLE THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLEDDESCENT & CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE AFT SPAR TIP HAD ROTATED AROUND THE AFT SPAR IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE OUTBOARD WING PANEL HAD BENT DOWN & REARWARD. HOLES HAD NOT BEEN DRILLED & STEEL POP RIVETS HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED, PER INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, TO PREVENT THE SPAR TIP FROM ROTATING. ALSO, THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS FOUND TO BE 95 MG%. THE TEST PLT ALSO PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE ULTRALIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: VECTOR 610
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1244
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: ZENOAH G25B 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 103
- Registered owner: Aerodyne Systems, Inc.
- Airport: runway 34, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,480 total, 96 in this make and model, 2,330 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAF, 27 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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