# NTSB CHI83FU010: Teratorn Tierra, Pepin, WI, August 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1983, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Pepin, WI
- Location: 44.4428° N, 92.1477° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pepin, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4428&lon=-92.1477&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FU010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FU010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED & ASSEMBLED THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE. THE PERSON WHO SOLD HIM THE ULTRALIGHT SAID THAT HE SAW THE VEHICLE ON THE NIGHT BEFORE. ACCORDING TO HIM, IT 'LOOKED LIKE HE HAD IT TOGETHER ALL RIGHT.' HE SAID IT WAS HIS IMPRESSION THE PLT HAD TAKEN FLT LESSONS 7 OR 8 YRS BEFORE, BUT HAD NOT SOLOED. HE FURTHER SAID THE PLT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE TAKEN FLYING LESSONS BEFORE FLYING THE ULTRALIGHT. ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT TOLD HIS WIFE THAT HE WAS GOING TO START IT & PUT IT IN THE GARAGE. SHE HEARD THE ENG RUNNING, AND LATER WHEN SHE LOOKED, SHE FOUND THE ACFT ACROSS A FIELD, WHERE IT HAD CRASHED AGAINST A HILL. THE ULTRALIGHT HAD COME TO REST AT A TREE LINE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF LITTLE MOVEMENT AFTER IMPACT. THE IMPACT HAD OCCURRED ON A 90 DEG HEADING WITH RESPECT TO THE FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TERATORN TIERRA
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX 377 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Ernest Kamrath
- Registered owner: Ernest Kamrath

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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