# NTSB CHI91DCD03: Tullis Tierra II, N2162S, Ottumwa, IA, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 07:57 local (12:57 UTC)
- Place: Ottumwa, IA
- Coordinates: 41.009002, -92.410781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0090&lon=-92.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DCD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCD03

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND STEEPLY INTO TERRAIN WHILE CIRCLING A FAMILY FARM.  NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE AIRPLANE DURING A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2162S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2162S-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 1001R, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TULLIS TIERRA II
- Registry model: [Tullis Robert D TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/tullis-robert-d-tierra-ii) (registry code 05676KF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1001-R
- Engines: ROTAX 532UL reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randy L. Saner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: OTM, OTTUMWA, IA
- Destination: 4K6, BLOOMFIELD, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: OTM, 5 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 19910831037299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037299A), Aug 31, 1991: Amtrte TIERRA2, Ottumwa, IA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed circling family farm then descend steeply into terrain. Indicates a stall occured.

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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