# NTSB FTW85FRD02: Teratorn Tierra II, N4438V, Lake Charles, LA, June 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1985, 19:30 local (Jun 18, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Coordinates: 30.209024, -93.20018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2090&lon=-93.2002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FRD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FRD02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A BEAN BAG DROP CONTEST WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER DROPPING THE LAST BAG THE ACFT MADE A TURN TO THE WEST, ENTERED A SPIN AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT'S DAUGHTER REPORTED THE PLT HAD BEEN FEELING ILL AND WAS UNUSUALLY THIRSTY DURING THE 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CORONER REPORTED IN THE AUTOPSY, '... THE DECEASED WAS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA OR AN EARLY MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPEMENT OF A MYOCARDIAL ARRYTHMIA OR CARDIAL ARREST INFRACTION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH SUBSEQUENT CRASH.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4438V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4438V-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 3449749, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TERATORN TIERRA II
- Registry model: [Joiner Eddy G TERATORN TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/joiner-eddy-g-teratorn-tierra-ii) (registry code 05675DV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3449749
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Elwin Leroy Faulk, Sr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LA21, LAKE CHARLES, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 93 total, 93 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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