# NTSB NYC88DFA02: Terry Tierra II, N4462T, Plattsburgh, NY, June 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1988, 19:45 local (Jun 20, 1988, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Plattsburgh, NY
- Coordinates: 44.699737, -73.469543 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6997&lon=-73.4695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88DFA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DFA02

## 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
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT WAS ON HIS 2ND FLT OF THE DAY IN A RECENTLY PURCHASED ULTRALIGHT TYPE OF ACFT. THEY RPRTD THAT AFTER THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 32, IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 300' AGL & ROLLED INTO A STEEP RIGHT BANK. ITS NOSE THEN DROPPED & THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS INOP.  THE PLT HAD NO KNOWN FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT BEFORE THE DATE OF THE ACDNT.  THE ACFT WAS BUILT IN A 2 PLACE CONFIGURATION, BUT WAS ALTERED TO CONTAIN ONLY 1 SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4462T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4462T-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 308482458, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TERRY TIERRA II
- Registry model: [Terry Roy P TERATORN TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/terry-roy-p-teratorn-tierra-ii) (registry code 05675GH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 308482458
- Airframe hours: 61
- Engines: Bombardier ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas John Stannard
- Registered owner: Dale A. Dufrane
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 6, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: PLB
- Destination: PLB
- Airport: PLB, Clinton County, runway 32, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLB

## 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 19880619052019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880619052019A), Jun 19, 1988: Amtrte TIERRA2, Plattsburgh, NY, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Ultralight stalled on initial climbout. Rolled over and struck ground, nose down. Airspeed lacked wind generator.

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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