This web page was put together specifically to talk about two segments on the UltraFlight Radio Show regarding ultralight accident procedures and ultralight accident reporting. Those segments can be accessed here:

Ralph McClurg, Sport Flight, Inc.
Ralph McClurg discusses the true purpose for aviation accident reports and what information should be found in one. www.ntsb.gov (Part 1) (11/25/03)

Ralph McClurg, Sport Flight, Inc.
Ralph McClurg walks us through the steps to be taken in an ultralight aircraft accident report. www.sportflightinc.com (Part 2) (11/25/03)

Ralph McClurg, Sport Flight, Inc.
Ralph McClurg walks us through the final steps to be taken in an ultralight aircraft accident report. For information referred to in this segment, click here. For information about the AOPA air safety foundation, click here. www.sportflightinc.com (Part 3) (12/2/03)

Call for and assist crash and rescue efforts as needed

Notify police if there will be a crowd

Secure the area -protect the scene. Use police tape if possible. Keep spectators far enough away to keep them from seeing blood and pain and details of the damage

Keep news crews at least 50 yards away -don't let them sweet talk you

Keep people from collecting souvenirs of the crash

Get witness' statements -keep them apart while they are describing it

Photograph everything -surroundings, flight path, impact areas, craft, damage to terrain, -use digital, video, and 35mm plus Polaroid -take plenty

Make a drawing of the scene with dimensions -show flight path, point of impact(s), and scattered pieces

Get help from other pilots to make sure you have the probable manner of crash

Collect evidence and write a report as if you had to go to court and explain it-you may!

Write a report. The intent of any investigation should be to find the cause of the crash and recommend/implement methods of preventing another. Make the report detailed enough to describe events before and during the flight, then why the flight terminated in a crash

Re-interview witnesses at 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days – memories may change and they may recall something later that they did not right after the crash

Pilot Information:
Name; Age; Gender; Height; Weight; Total logged hours in PPC; total PIC hours in ANY aircraft; Total PIC flying hours in a powered parachute (PPC); Total flying hours in THIS PPC; Total flying time for the day of the accident; Was the pilot wearing {please describe type): a helmet, a flight suit, gloves, glasses, goggles, etc.

Passenger/student Information:
Name; Age; Gender; Height; Weight; Total pilot-in-command (PIC) flying hours in ANY aircraft; Total PIC flying hours in a powered parachute (PPC); Total flying hours in THIS PPC; Total flying time for the day of the accident; Was the passenger wearing (please describe type): a helmet, a flight suit, gloves, glasses, goggles, etc.

Aircraft Condition Prior to Accident:
Make, model and serial numbers of the PPC craft and of the wing (parachute); Date of manufacture for the PPC and of the wing (parachute); PPC craft and wing colors; Any installed factory options; Any owner installed options (including pilot/passenger communication systems); Approximate number of hours on the craft, engine, and wing; Has this craft, engine and/or wing been involved in another incident/accident (if so, describe); Inspectors best estimate of condition prior to incident/accident (excellent, very good, good, poor, very poor)

Field Conditions:
Field elevation; Type of runway(s) -(open field, dirt, grass, paved, etc.); Length of runway(s); Direction of runway(s); Number and location of wind socks; Obstructions (fences, trees, roads, buildings, etc.); General description of the terrain

Weather Conditions at the Time of the Accident:
Temperature; Humidity; Barometric pressure; Wind velocity and direction; Type of sky (clear, partly cloudy, etc.) Landing/impact Site Conditions: Terrain; Vegetation; Obstacles (buildings, roads, Power lines, water, etc.)

Reports:
Pilot -Detailed report
Passenger -Detailed report
Eyewitnesses (be sure to get each eyewitnesses Name, Age, Flying experience)
Relation to pilot and passenger; Viewpoint of incident/accident; How much of the Incident/accident did they observe; Their description of the incident/accident from pre-flight to landing/impact; Their description of the weather conditions. Their description of the events leading to the incident/accident {party, just passing by, invited out, etc.)

Forms:
Were any forms signed? If so, where are they?

Don’t be surprised if witness accounts vary widely – they almost always do. Separating witnesses so they don’t hear each other’s accounts really helps.

You are probably the expert at the scene. It is unlikely that anyone will have more expertise at the sport than you do.

Call the NTSB if there are serious injuries or death. They have experience and insights that no one else has.

Don’t jump to conclusions too early. Continue to investigate until you have all of the facts and data that are available.

It may be necessary to ask some very personal questions while the family is struggling with serious injuries or death of a loved one. Share in their grief or trauma. Be compassionate and kind – let them know that you are not being punitive. Make sure they understand that the investigation is to prevent repeat occurrences.

Someone must report the accident to the exempting agency. A phone call that the accident has happened should be made to them immediately if there is a serious injury or fatality. They may want to send someone to investigate independently. An effort should also be made to notify the manufacturer of the vehicle.