Amateur-built RALLY 3 accident near Kirkville, New York, July 4, 1983
On July 4, 1983, a amateur-built RALLY 3 (ultralight), registered N104RE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kirkville, New York (Kirkville airport). It was a personal flight under ultralight rules (Part 103). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. 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
- July 4, 1983
- Place
- Kirkville, New York · Kirkville · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RALLY 3
- Registration
- N104RE · no longer on the register · serial 25165
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · ultralight rules (Part 103)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE 2 PLACE ULTRALIGHT ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND WHEN THE PROPELLER BEGAN TO FREEWHEEL ON THE PROPELLER SHAFT. THE ENG CONTINUED TO OPERATE & RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUTS, BUT THE PROPELLER DID NOT PRODUCE THRUST. THE ULTRALIGHT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE RAPIDLY & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE ARPT. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH SWAMP ADLER TREES. REPORTEDLY, THE CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH DRUM, WHICH CONNECTED THE PROPELLER TO THE ENG, WAS INSTALLED USING THE PROPER BONDING COMPOUND. THE SLIPPAGE OCCURRED ON THE REDUCTION DRIVE ASSEMBLY.
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
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 215 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 157 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 72 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 1983
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 50 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NY31 Kirkville NY at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 1,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: ovct at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from SYR, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.