# NTSB NYC83FU010: Rotec Rally 3B, N116RE, Franklin, MA, September 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1983, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, MA
- Location: 42.0834° N, 71.3967° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Franklin, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0834&lon=-71.3967&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FU010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FU010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT ACFT WAS BROUGHT TO A FIELD DURING THE MORNING TO CHECK OUT THE CONTROL RIGGING & TO FAMILIARIZE HIM WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO FLY THE ULTRALIGHT AT THAT TIME. LATER IN THE DAY, THE PLT WAS TAXIING & 'CROW HOPPING' IN NORTH & SOUTH DIRECTIONS. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT WHILE IT WAS PROCEEDING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION, THE ULTRALIGHT MADE SEVERAL HOPS IN THE AIR. HE REPORTED THAT IT THEN VEERED IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION, HOPPED UP & DOWN & FINALLY BECAME AIRBORNE. IT CLIMBED ABOVE TREE TOP LEVEL, THEN TURNED LEFT AS IF THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE FIELD. HOWEVER, WHILE IN A TURN, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH THE TREE TOPS & THE ULTRALIGHT CARTWHEELED & CRASHED. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N116RE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTEC RALLY 3B
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: Rotax UNKNOWN 17 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Richard Sarvas
- Registered owner: J. Thornhill
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 8, 1983, 0 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 753 total, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830911048569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830911048569A), Sep 11, 1983: Amtr RALLY3A, Franklin, MA, Substantial damage. Became airborne on a high speed taxi test. Struck trees trying to return. Pilot had no prior ultralight experience.

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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