# NTSB NYC84FU002: Highcraft Buccaneer, Mountville, PA, October 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1983, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Mountville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.040344, -76.430511 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0403&lon=-76.4305&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): 35429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing,bracing strut - overload (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AMPHIBIAN ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS BEING FLOWN ON A SERIES OF FLT TESTS AFTER BEING ASSEMBLED. AT APRX 1615 EDT, THE PLT TOOK OFF & WAS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER PLT IN ANOTHER ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE FOR OBSERVATION PURPOSES. NO UNDESIRABLE FLT CHARACTERISTIC WAS NOTED. AT APRX 1650 EDT, THE CHASE PLT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT WHILE THE PLT ON THE TEST FLT REMAINED AIRBORNE. AT ABOUT 1715 EDT, A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ULTRALIGHT MANEUVERING. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE VEHICLE WAS FAIRLY HIGH, SPINNING AROUND AT A FAST RATE & DESCENDING RAPIDLY UNTIL IT LEVELED OFF AT AN ALT OF BETWEEN 400 TO 500 FT AGL. ANOTHER WITNESS SAID HE WAS WATCHING THE ULTRALIGHT & SAW IT DIP & TURN A FEW TIMES, THEN THE WINGS FOLDED UP & THE VEHICLE CRASHED. ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CRAFT WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. BOTH WINGS HAD THE SAME KIND OF DAMAGE CHARACTERISTICS, BUT THE RIGHT WING & STRUTS WERE DAMAGED TO A GREATER DEGREE. NO PREIMPACT/ MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HIGHCRAFT BUCCANEER
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 9
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: ROTAX 277 28 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 103
- Operator: Scott Burd
- Registered owner: Thomas Mcbrain
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 89N, MOUNTVILLE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNS, 10 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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