Amateur-built PTERODACTYL accident near Wayland, Michigan, September 17, 1983
On September 17, 1983 at about 11:15 pm local time, a amateur-built PTERODACTYL (ultralight), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wayland, Michigan (Wayland Muni. airport). It was a personal flight under ultralight rules (Part 103). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 1983 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Wayland, Michigan · Wayland Muni. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PTERODACTYL PTERODACTY
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial NONE
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · ultralight rules (Part 103)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG BACKFIRED & QUIT WHEN THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS APRX 100 FT AGL. HE MADE A RIGHT TURN TO LAND BACK ON THE RWY. HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT A SLIPPING TURN WAS MADE WHICH 'RESULTED IN A STEEP ANGLE OF ATTACK ON LANDING, CAUSING THE NOSE GEAR TO FAIL & THE AIRFRAME TO IMPACT THE GROUND.' THE PLT ALSO STATED THAT THE ON/OFF SWITCH HAD A FAULTY CONNECTION DUE TO VIBRATION WHICH ALLOWED THE ENG TO QUIT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 100 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 100 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, September 16, 1983; 0 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cuyuna ULZ-02 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 41C Wayland MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.