# NTSB NYC84FU006: Pterodactyl Pfledgling, Canandaigua, NY, July 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1984, 20:50 local (Jul 2, 1984, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Canandaigua, NY
- Coordinates: 42.87952, -77.280448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8795&lon=-77.2804&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): 35433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FU006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FU006

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - wing - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STEEP CLIMB. A WITNESS STATED THAT WHEN IT WAS CLIMBING OVER THE MIDPOINT OF THE RWY, IT ENTERED A STEEP DIVE. THE PLT RECOVERED FROM THE DESCENT & BEGAN ANOTHER STEEP CLIMB. AFTER REACHING ABOUT 250 TO 300 FT, THE ULTRALIGHT ENTERED ANOTHER STEEP DIVE. AGAIN, THE PLT STARTED TO RECOVER; HOWEVER, DURING THE PULL-OUT, THE LEFT WING BUCKLED, THEN THE VEHICLE DESCENDED TO THE GROUND & CRASHED. NO PRE-ACCIDENT FATIGUE FAILURE OR PART MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL PFLEDGLING
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA 430-D 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: David S. Schlenker
- Destination: BLOOMFIELD, NY
- Airport: Canandaigua, runway 34, 1,900 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: ROC

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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