# NTSB NYC84FU001: Vector 610, Westport, NY, October 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1983, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Westport, NY
- Coordinates: 44.169254, -73.430541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1693&lon=-73.4305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FU001

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
- Fire, standing
  - fuel system - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - leak (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - leak (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY FAILED WHEN THE PLT MADE A HARD LANDING, THEN THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WENT OVER ON ITS NOSE & CAME TO REST IN A VERTICAL POSITION. FLAMES ENGULFED THE CENTER PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE PLT ROLLED FREE FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT HIS PARKA & HELMET WERE ON FIRE. HIS FATHER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE & ASSISTED IN THE RESCUE EFFORT, BUT HAD DIFFICULTY IN REMOVING THE HELMET SINCE THE NYLON STRAP HAD MELTED TOGETHER. THE PLT RECEIVED BURNS OVER 44% OF HIS BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH 2 PLASTIC FUEL TANKS WHICH WERE PORTABLE & WERE SECURED TO THE FRAME WITH A BUNGEE CORD. THE PLT'S FATHER OWNED THIS & 1 OTHER VECTOR 610. AN EXAM OF THE OTHER VEHICLE REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE MOUNTED WITH THE FUEL CAPS FACING FORWARD, NEXT TO THE BACK OF THE PLT'S SEAT. THERE WAS NO SEAL WHERE THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES PASSED THRU THE FUEL TANK CAPS. WITH APRX 1 GAL OF FUEL IN A TANK, FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT AT A RATE OF ABOUT 1 PINT PER MINUTE. MANUFACTURER'S BROCHURES SHOW THAT THE FUEL TANK CAPS SHOULD FACE TO THE REAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: VECTOR 610
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: Zenoah G25B-1 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Adirondack Aviation, Inc.
- Airport: B17, Westport, runway 36, 1,700 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 11 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

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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