# NTSB MKC88DCQ04: Teratorn Tierra II, N68JM, Plevna, KS, August 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1988, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Plevna, KS
- Coordinates: 37.96997, -98.299148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9700&lon=-98.2991&mi=10
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88DCQ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88DCQ04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ON TAKEOFF CLIMB, APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AGL, THE A/C BROKE TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE GROUND.  THE PILOT SUSPECTED RIGHT AILERON CONTROL PROBLEMS.  INSPECTION OF A/C REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE WIND WAS LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68JM-2005-11-16), registration cancelled 2005-11-16, S/N R26001, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TERATORN TIERRA II
- Registry model: [Moeckel Jeffrey R TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/moeckel-jeffrey-r-tierra-ii) (registry code 05676C6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: R26001
- Airframe hours: 161
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey R. Moeckel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 161 hours before
- Airport: Private Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 217 total, 168 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUT

## 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 19880808031499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880808031499A), Aug 8, 1988: Amtrte TIERRA2, Plevna, KS, Substantial damage. Lost control and crashed on initial climb after takeoff. No medical. Homebuilt condition inspection was past due.

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.