# NTSB NYC84FGM06: Teratorn II, N4475V, Brownsville, PA, July 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1984, 20:20 local (Jul 8, 1984, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.010734, -79.889198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0107&lon=-79.8892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FGM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FGM06

## 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 - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER/PLT HAD PREVIOUS FLOWN THE HOME BUILT ACFT WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED SIMILAR TO AN ULTRALIGHT. AN OPTIONAL PILOT ENCLOSURE (CANVAS COVERING OVER THE PLT COMPARTMENT) HAD JUST BEEN INSTALLED. ON 7/7/84, THE OWNER/PLT TAXI CHECKED THE ACFT FOR ABOUT 30 MIN, THEN ELECTED TO TAKEOFF. THE TAKEOFF AREA WAS ON ROLLING/HILLY TERRAIN WITH THE 1ST PART OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL PROCEEDING UPHILL. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE COULD NOT CLEAR TREES. HE MANEUVERED TO AVOID THE TREES, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY STALLED & CRASH LANDED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4475V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Teratorn Aircraft, Inc. II
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: ROTAX 503CC 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Gaster

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 965 total, 6 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19840707033569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840707033569A), Jul 7, 1984: Amtrte TIERRA2, Brownsville, PA, Substantial damage. First flight of modified aircraft. Aircraft would not clear obstacles during takeoff and stalled during climb.

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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