# NTSB NYC84FU003: Panaplane Pappillon, Pepperell, MA, February 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1984, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Pepperell, MA
- Location: 42.6748° N, 71.5922° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pepperell, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6748&lon=-71.5922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FU003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FU003

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRMAN TOOK OFF ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLT AFTER ONE AND ONE HALF HOURS OF GROUND INSTRUCTION AND NO FLT INSTRUCTION. THEFLT PROCEEDED AFTER A NORMAL TAKEOFF TO TURN LEFT AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL TO AVOID A HANGER. AFTER A PRECISE 90 DEGREE TURN, THE ACFT CONTINUED TOWARD THE RIVER AND SOME TREES. NO MORE TURNS WERE MADE TO STAY WITHIN THE ARPT BOUNDARY AND THE VEHICLE CONTACTED THE TREES BORDERING THE RIVER. THE VEHICLE FELL INTO THE WATER AND THE PLT DROWNED IN THE WRECKAGE. THERE WERE NO PLT CERTIFICATES OR RECORDED FLT TIME LOCATED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PANAPLANE PAPPILLON
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: PMA-1
- Engines: SOLO 210CC 15 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 103
- Registered owner: Steve Kalvelage
- Airport: MAD9, Pepperell, runway 24, 2,685 × 35 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 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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