# NTSB ATL84LU007: Teraton TA, Snellville, GA, July 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1984, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Snellville, GA
- Location: 33.7823° N, 83.9888° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WHISPERING PINES (GA80), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7823&lon=-83.9888&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LU007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LU007

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - touch-and-go - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Miscellaneous/other, other
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING A TOUCH & GO LANDING, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE LODGED IN A TREE ABOUT 40 TO 50 FT AGL. THE PLT SAID THAT HE WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE IMPACT WITH THE TREE. HOWEVER, WHILE CLIMBING DOWN, HE SLIPPED & FELL AN ESTIMATED 30 TO 35 FT & WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TERATON TA
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: Rotax UNKNOWN 28 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Jerry M. Sheppard
- Airport: GA80, Whispering Points, runway 33, 2,600 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 105 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 27 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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