# NTSB NYC84FU007: Pioneer Flightstar, Cross River, NY, July 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1984, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Cross River, NY
- Location: 41.2623° N, 73.6146° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cross River, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2623&lon=-73.6146&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FU007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FU007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, IT APPEARED TO THE PLT THAT THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER. THE ULTRALIGHT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A TACHOMETER & THE SUSPECTED LOSS OF POWER WAS BASED ON THE PLT'S ESTIMATED LIFT-OFF POINT. THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT HE WAS WEARING A HELMET & THE ENG NOISE WAS MUFFLED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE ENG POWER. THE TAKEOFF RUN WAS LONGER THAN NORMAL. HE CONTINUED TO CLIMB OUT & WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER ATTEMPTED TO SET UP A GLIDE. THE ULTRALIGHT STALLED WHILE THE PLT WAS AVOIDING TREES. TWO WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENG QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIONEER FLIGHTSTAR
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA440A 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Owen Craighead
- Airport: runway 36, 950 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Observed at: HPN

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.