# NTSB FTW85LRG02: Homebuilt Tiger Bird, N5MF, Kerrville, TX, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Kerrville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.040048, -99.129257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0400&lon=-99.1293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LRG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LRG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER ON LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLT REPORTED TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE ON THE FIRST 100 FT OF THE RWY AND AS THE ACFT SLOWED TO APRX 10 MPH DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP AND DOWN A 5 FT, 45 DEG BANK WHERE IT NOSED OVER. THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE X-WIND, GRAVEL AIRSTRIP AND POOR JUDGEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5MF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5MF), registered now, S/N 1, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT TIGER BIRD
- Registry model: [Frey TIGER BIRD F-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/frey-tiger-bird-f-1) (registry code 0562581) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 743
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael L Frey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 1, 1985, 33 hours before
- Departed: 2, ALVIN, TX
- Destination: KERRVILLE, TX
- Airport: Yo Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,000 total, 743 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850914045029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914045029A), Sep 14, 1985: Amtrmf TIGERBIRDF2, Kerrville, TX, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on crosswind landing. Ran off side of gravel runway down embankment and flipped over.

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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