# NTSB FTW98LA107: Sutton Tierra II, N131WH, Woodson, AR, January 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 1998, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Woodson, AR - Location: 34.5397° N, 92.2225° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Woodson, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5397&lon=-92.2225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20522 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20522/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA107 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot told individuals responding to the accident site that the airplane 'entered a steep right turn from which he was unable to pull the airplane out, so he elected to shut the engine off in order to attempt to get out of it.' The FAA inspector that responded to the accident site stated that physical evidence indicated that the airplane impacted the muddy field in a left turn in a nose down attitude. The pilot's wife reported that the pilot elected to execute a short flight to verify the accuracy of the airspeed indicator. The pilot's wife further reported that she was observing the airplane over the airport at approximately 150 feet above the ground. The airplane 'suddenly rolled into a 50 degree bank to the right' as she continued to observe the airplane enter a right spiraling turn until impact with the ground. The pilot told his wife that prior to his loss of control, 'he thought he heard the left wing strut snap.' Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector did not revealed any pre-existing anomalies or discontinuities that would have prevented normal operation of the homebuilt airplane. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 1998, at 1350 central standard time, a Sutton Tierra II experimental airplane, N131WH, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while maneuvering near Woodson, Arkansas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from the Pumpkin Patch Airport, near Woodson, Arkansas, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot told individuals responding to the accident site, that the airplane "entered a steep right turn from which he was unable to pull the airplane out, so he elected to shut the engine off in order to attempt to get out of it." The pilot's wife was the first person to respond to the accident site. She was told by her husband that prior to his loss of control, "he thought he heard the left wing strut snap." During an earlier flight, the pilot performed a short flight to check the accuracy of the airspeed indicator after he had removed a 6-inch portion of the pitot tube to attempt to correct existing airspeed inaccuracies. During that flight the pilot contacted his wife on the radio and reported that the inaccuracies had been resolved. The pilot's wife reported to the FAA inspector that the pilot elected to execute another short flight to further verify the accuracy of the airspeed indicator. The pilot's wife further reported that she observed the airplane over the airport at approximately 150 feet above the ground, suddenly roll into a 50 degree bank to the right as she continued to observe the airplane enter a right spiraling turn until impact with the ground. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector did not revealed any pre-existing anomalies or discontinuities that would have prevented normal operation of the homebuilt airplane. The FAA inspector stated that physical evidence at the accident site indicated that the airplane impacted the muddy field in a left turn in a nose down attitude. The manufacturer of the kit-built airplane reported to have traveled to the pilot's residence to examine the wreckage. The manufacturer stated that he was denied access to the wreckage. Repeated attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 from the pilot were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N131WH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N131WH-2006-10-25), registration cancelled 2006-10-25, S/N 7937, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SUTTON TIERRA II - Registry model: [Sutton W Jr/Sutton Hazel TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/sutton-w-jr-sutton-hazel-tierra-ii) (registry code 05605G8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7937 - Airframe hours: 4 - Engines: Rotax 45 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter W. Sutton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,500 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIT, 15 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 19980127000639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980127000639A), Jan 27, 1998: Amtr TIERRA2, Woodson, AR, Substantial damage. Acft was in a right turn and could not get out of it, pilot shut off engine and acft went down, little rock, AR. (-23) the pilot stated to individuals… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.