On September 14, 1984, a Mitchell A-10 (registration UNREG) was involved in an aviation accident near Corning, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An ultralight recently purchased by a new owner with no flight experience was found crashed after a taxi test. The aircraft contacted the ground left wing low and nose down, leaving a 10-foot scar.
Accident Overview
An ultralight aircraft, recently purchased by a new owner, was involved in an accident after the owner intended only to perform a taxi test. The owner received no instruction in the operation of the vehicle and told his wife he had no intention to fly. When his wife no longer heard or saw the vehicle, she initiated a search.
Wreckage and Evidence
The aircraft was located approximately 1 mile northwest of the airport. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft contacted the ground in a left-wing-low, nose-down attitude. The total length of the ground scar was 10 feet. No evidence of pre-impact failure was found.
Pilot Information
No records were found to indicate that the pilot had any flight experience.