# NTSB MKC86LA170: Teratorn Tierra 2, N5575Y, Dixon, IA, August 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1986, 19:45 local (Aug 12, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Dixon, IA
- Coordinates: 41.739307, -90.780975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7393&lon=-90.7810&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled (contributing factor)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL ACFT WAS LOADED NEAR MAX GROSS WT ON TAKEOFF FROM THE PVT SOD AIRATRIP. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT PERFORMED SLUGGISHLY DURING THE CLIMBOUT FROM THE FIELD. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE CLIMBOUT THAT HE WAS OVERFLYING A CORN FIELD BORDERING THE STRIP WHEN THE ACFT DESCENDED TOWARD THE CORN DESPITE FULL PWR FROM THE ENG. THE PLT STATED HE INTENTIONALLY STALLED THE ACFT JUST ABOVE THE CORN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND BENEATH THE CORN WHERE IT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PLT STATED HE FELT THAT THE AIR WAS LESS DENSE AS HE OVERFLEW THE CORN AND THIS ROBBED THE ENG OF PWR AND THE WINGS OF SOME LIFT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE MEASUREMENT WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THAT OF FIELD ELEVATION OF 750 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5575Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5575Y-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 3440199 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TERATORN TIERRA 2
- Registry model: [Meyer Merlin L TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/meyer-merlin-l-tierra-ii) (registry code 05675G4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3440199
- Airframe hours: 68
- Engines: ROTAX 503 53 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: John E. Wiese
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 1986, 13 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 328 total, 14 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 48 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 19860811038609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860811038609A), Aug 11, 1986: Amtrte TIERRA2, Dixon, IA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was unable to climb after takeoff and hit corn in a field. Density altitude was a factor.

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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