# NTSB LAX93LA143: E.L. Erickson Tierra II, N4474E, Rio Linda, CA, March 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1993, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Rio Linda, CA
- Coordinates: 38.680622, -121.449066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6806&lon=-121.4491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA143

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A DOWNDRAFT.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING A GRASS FIELD.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE AIRCRAFT, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TREES AS IT CONTINUED IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4474E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4474E-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 4256, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: E.L. ERICKSON TIERRA II
- Registry model: [Erickson Lynn Edward TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/erickson-lynn-edward-tierra-ii) (registry code 05675JA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4356
- Engines: ROTAX 503 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gulbranson, Edgar A. Et. Al
- Registered owner: Gulbranson, Edgar A. Et. Al
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19930307004379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930307004379A), Mar 7, 1993: Amtrte TIERRA2, Rio Linda, CA, Substantial damage. Reported homebuilt stopped climbing and wing dropped during climbout. Descended into trees and wires.

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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