# NTSB CHI91DEC02: Howard Tierra II, N351R, Cambridge Jct, MI, June 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1991, 18:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Cambridge Jct, MI
- Coordinates: 42.100116, -84.240798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1001&lon=-84.2408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEC02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEC02

## Probable cause

ENTANGLEMENT OF THE EMERGENCY BALLISTIC PARACHUTE WITH THE AIRPLANE'S PROPELLER SHAFT AFTER IT DEPLOYED FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE AIRCRAFT'S WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMIT WAS EXCEEDED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - other
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - entangled (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AGL WHEN IT BEGAN A LEFT HAND TURN.  WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING THIS TURN, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DESCEND, AND THE BALLISTIC PARACHUTE DEPLOYED. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED INTO TREES WITH A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.  AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PARACHUTE SHROUD LINE, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE WING'S MAIN SPAR, HAD ENTANGLED ITSELF AROUND THE PUSHER ENGINE'S PROPELLER SHAFT.  A WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS APROXIMATELY 200 POUNDS ABOVE ITS GROSS WEIGHT LIMIT, AND ITS CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS .4 OF AN INCH FORWARD OF THE FORWARD LIMIT.  THE PARACHUTE WAS PAST DUE FOR ITS TWO YEAR INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N351R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N351R-1991-11-09), registration cancelled 1991-11-09, S/N 3601534 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Howard Aircraft Corp. TIERRA II
- Registry model: [Williams Robert Howard TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/williams-robert-howard-tierra-ii) (registry code 05676AQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3601534
- Engines: ROTAX BOMBARDIER 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gregory A. Moore
- Registered owner: Gregory A. Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 83G, ONSTED, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 175 total, 147 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 20 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 19910623023189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910623023189A), Jun 23, 1991: Amtrte TIERRA2, Cambridge Junct, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Appears ballistic parachute deployed and cable wrapped around prop causing engine out. Prevented full deployment.

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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