# NTSB ATL86LA168: Anderson Tierra II 1984, N5291Y, Smith Station, AL, June 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1986, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Smith Station, AL
- Coordinates: 32.459148, -85.00946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4591&lon=-85.0095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - switched off
  - fuel boost pump selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT'S ENGINE LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER T/O AND A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN SOME SAPLINGS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE NEGLECTED TO USE THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP DURING THE T/O AND SUBSEQUENT PWR LOSS. HE HAD PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED THE PUMP ON THE HOME-BUILT ACFT FOR USE DURING HOT WX OPS, BECAUSE OF PRIOR PWR LOSSES EXPERIENCED IN HOT WX USING ONLY THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE TEMP AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT TO BE 85 DEG F. THE PLT ALSO NOTED THAT THE ACFT FUEL TANK WAS MOUNTED SEVERAL FEET BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ENGINE, AND THAT AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS IN USE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5291Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5291Y-1990-11-06), registration cancelled 1990-11-06, S/N 21330 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Anderson Aircraft Corp. TIERRA II 1984 (TIERRA II)
- Registry model: [Anderson Edward R TIERRA II 1984](https://openairdocs.org/model/anderson-edward-r-tierra-ii-1984) (registry code 05675YB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 21330
- Airframe hours: 76
- Engines: ROTAX 532 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward R. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: AL56
- Airport: AL56, Smith Station Light, runway 18, 1,700 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 251 total, 76 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860614024459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860614024459A), Jun 14, 1986: Amtrte TIERRA2, Smith Station, AL, Substantial damage. Struck wires and trees when aircraft would not climb. Did not use fuel boost pump. Density altitude a factor.

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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