# NTSB NYC83FU005: Robertson B1-RD, Enfield, NY, May 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1983, 17:32 local (21:32 UTC)
- Place: Enfield, NY
- Coordinates: 42.439216, -76.500305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4392&lon=-76.5003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FU005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35127/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FU005

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,bracing wire - disabled (cause)
  - wing,bracing strut - disabled (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

DURING FLT, THE 2 ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES WERE OBSERVED FLYING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER. LATER, THEY WERE OBSERVED APPROACHING THE DEPARTURE FIELD AT APRX 300 TO 500 FT AGL. THE LEAD VEHICLE, SN:115, WITH A NON-RATED PLT, BEGAN A LEFT TURN. THE OTHER VEHICLE, SN:244, WITH A RATED PLT, CONVERGERED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THEY WERE APPROACHING EACH OTHER 'HEAD-ON.' THE PLT OF VEHICLE 244 ATTEMPTED TO PASS BENEATH VEHICLE 115. HOWEVER, THE ULTRALIGHTS COLLIDED, ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. VEHICLE 115 STRUCK A TREE & VEHICLE 244 CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PLT OF VEHICLE 115 WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHILE THE OTHER PLT WAS FATALLY INJURED.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

THE ULTRALIGHTS COLLIDED AT ABOUT 300-500 FT AGL APPROACHING THE FIELD TO LAND. THE VEHICLES HAD BEEN OBSERVED FLYING INFORMATION. IN AN ATTEMPT TO MANEUVER DURING THE APPROACH A MIX-UP OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLES COLLIDED WHICH DISABLED THE AIRFRAMES AND THEY CRASHED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBERTSON B1-RD
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 244
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Aeroplane Company

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBERTSON B1-RD (SN:115) (B1-RD (SN:)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 115
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Peter Hopper

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft 1; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,750 total, 14 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft 2; age 35; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 80 total, 80 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ITH

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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