Amateur-built JC-24C accident near 5N Battle Creek, Nebraska, May 21, 1983
On May 21, 1983, a amateur-built JC-24C (ultralight), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near 5N Battle Creek, Nebraska. It was a personal flight under ultralight rules (Part 103). 1 person was killed. 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
- May 21, 1983
- Place
- 5N Battle Creek, Nebraska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built JC-24C
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial 1943
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · ultralight rules (Part 103)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT HAD ASSEMBLED & FLOWN THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE DURING THE PREVIOUS SUMMER. THIS WAS HIS 1ST FLT AFTER REMOVING IT FROM WINTER STORAGE. HE WAS OBSERVED PREFLIGHTING THE VEHICLE BEFORE TAKEOFF. AT ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, A GROUND WITNESS HEARD THE ULTRALIGHT FLY OVER, BUT NO KNOWN EYE WITNESSES SAW THE VEHICLE CRASH. DURING THE ACCIDENT, IT IMPACTED IN AN OPEN PASTURE IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT AFTER IMPACT & 1 PROPELLER BLADE WAS SHATTERED. APRX 3 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. THE PLT'S TOTAL FLT TIME WAS NOT DETERMINED. ACCORDING TO HIS FATHER, THE PLT CONDUCTED FLTS OVER HIS FARM TO OBSERVE HIS CROPS & CATTLE. THE FLT CONTROLS CONSISTED OF AN ELEVATOR PUSH-PULL ROD & RUDDER CABLES THAT WERE ATTACHED TO A 'JOY STICK.' THE ULTRALIGHT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AILERONS OR SPOILERS FOR ROLL CONTROL.
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
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Chotia TM 460 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:48 pm from ORF, 8 miles away
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.