# NTSB SEA83FU004: Waspair Tomcat, Ketchikan, AK, May 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1983, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.609821, -131.580017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6098&lon=-131.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FU004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FU004

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT VIRTUALLY CALM WIND CONDITIONS EXISTED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF TO THE SOUTH, THE DIRECTION OF THE PREVAILING WINDS. AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL, THE ULTRALIGHT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG NORTHERLY (TAILWIND) GUST. THE ULTRALIGHT TUMBLED & STRUCK THE GROUND. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST FLT SINCE RECOVERING FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED 3/20/83 IN A MISHAP INVOLVING AN ULTRALIGHT OF THE SAME MAKE & MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WASPAIR TOMCAT
- Category: Ultralight
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: CUYUNA 430 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Michael S. Lineker

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 8 total, 8 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °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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