# NTSB MKC84FA097: Teratorn Acft Tierra II, Lexington, NE, March 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1984, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, NE
- Coordinates: 40.770938, -99.739082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7709&lon=-99.7391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA097

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD FLOWN FROM CALLAWAY TO LEXINGTON, NE, EARLIER IN THE DAY. AFTER A SHORT VISIT, HE DEPARTED ON A RETURN FLT. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT RETURN. ABOUT 5 HRS AFTER THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED ON ROLLING TERRAIN. SEARCH PERSONNEL REPORTED THERE WAS SNOW ON THE WRECKAGE WHEN IT WAS FOUND. AT KEARNEY & GRAND ISLAND, NE, REDUCED CEILINGS & VISIBILITIES WITH SNOW & FOG WERE REPORTED NEAR THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD CRASHED ON 3 DEG DOWNWARD SLOPING TERRAIN IN A WINGS LEVEL, SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, ON A HEADING OF 335 DEG. THE DESTINATION ARPT WAS LOCATED ABOUT 31 MI SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE POINT. THE ACFT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED AS AN ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WITH AN EMPTY WT OF 350 LBS. HOWEVER, IT WAS BUILT WITH LARGER TIRES & HAD A 6 GAL FUEL TANK INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TERATORN ACFT INC. TIERRA II
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX 503 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: LXN, LEXINGTON, NE
- Destination: 6NE9, CALLAWAY, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAR, 38 nm away

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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