# NTSB SEA83FU005: Pterodactyl Ascender II, Sumner, WA, June 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1983, 20:30 local (Jun 28, 1983, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Sumner, WA
- Coordinates: 47.21051, -122.229705 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2105&lon=-122.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FU005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FU005

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, A FATHER & HIS 14 YR OLD SON HAD BEEN RECEIVING GROUND & TAXI INSTRUCTION, AND HAD RECEIVED 'CROW-HOP' PRACTICE IN THE PREVIOUS FEW WEEKS. ON 6/27/83, THE VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORNE WITH THE SON ON BOARD. HE FLEW IT IN A PATTERN AROUND THE OPEN FIELD THAT WAS BEING USED BY ULTRALIGHT PLTS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND BY APPROACHING OVER TREES FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, BUT OVERSHOT THE 500 FT LANDING AREA. DURING A GO-AROUND, HE STRUCK GROUND VEHICLES IN A PARKING LOT AT THE NORTH END OF THE FIELD, BUT CONTINUED TO FLY. ON THE 2ND APPROACH, THE ULTRALIGHT CAME OVER TREES AT THE SOUTH END & EXECUTED A SERIES OF STAIR-STEP MANEUVERS ON THE APPROACH. AT APRX 60 FT AGL, THE VEHICLE NOSED OVER & STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP DESCENT. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE FLT WAS INTENTIONAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II (ASCENDER I)
- Category: Ultralight
- Engines: CUYUNA 430-R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Jerry J. Johnson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 14; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: unknown; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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