NTSB Identification: FTW83FU003.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 25569.
Accident occurred Friday, August 26, 1983 in KELLER, TX
Aircraft: ROTEC RALLY 2B, registration: NONE
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.AFTER ASSEMBLING HIS ULTRALIGHT, THE PLT RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUCTION IN A 2 PLACE MODEL. AFTER HIS 2ND DUAL FLT, HE TOLD HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) HE HAD SOLOED HIS VEHICLE. THE CFI CAUTIONED HIM AGAINST FURTHER SOLO FLTS UNTIL HE WAS QUALIFIED &EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO WEAR A HELMET. 3 DAYS LATER, WITNESSES SAW THE VEHICLE CRUISING AT APRX 300 TO 500 FT AGL WHEN ITSUDDENLY ROLLED RIGHT & ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NONE OF THE WITNESSES COULD VERIFY THE ENG STATUS BEFORE IMPACT. NEITHER OF THE PROP BLADES HAD ROTATIONAL DAMAGE, BUT 1 BLADE BROKE WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND. THE ENG WAS STARTED WITH FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK & OPERATED NORMALLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MOUNTED ON THE CONTROL STICK NEXT TO THE TWIST GRIP THROTTLE & WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ENG WAS EQUIPPED WITH A CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH & COULD NOT BE STARTED BY A WINDMILLING PROP. THE PLT WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET & HAD SUFFERED EXTENSIVE HEAD INJURIES. HIS CFI HAD WARNED HIM THAT HIS SPOILER LINES WERE TOO TIGHT & COULD RESULT IN UNWANTED SPOILER ACTION WTIH AFT STICK MOVEMENT.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
IGNITION SYSTEM..SWITCHED OFF
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FLT CONTROL SYST,WING SPOILER SYSTEM..INCORRECT
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
MAINTENANCE,ADJUSTMENT..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
POWERPLANT CONTROLS..IMPROPER USE OF..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FLT CONTROL SYST,WING SPOILER SYSTEM..DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
INADEQUATE TRANSITION/UPGRADE TRAINING..PILOT IN COMMAND
Index for Aug1983 | Index of months