# NTSB NYC91LA134: Tierra II, N198WC, Cooperstown, NY, May 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1991, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Cooperstown, NY
- Coordinates: 42.699836, -74.920921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6998&lon=-74.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA134

## Probable cause

THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTED IN A A LOSS OR AIRPLANE CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flt control syst,rudder control attach points - fractured (cause)
  - flight control system - failure,partial
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE HAD JUST COMPLETED A STALL MANEUVER, WHEN THE RUDDER ATTACHMENT BROKE.  THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE BROKEN ATTACHMENT AND THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED IN TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N198WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N198WC-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 1985-5 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TIERRA II
- Registry model: [Curry William TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/curry-william-tierra-ii) (registry code 0567648) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: unknown reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Curry
- Registered owner: William Curry
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910512015459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910512015459A), May 12, 1991: Amtrte TIERRA2, Cooperstown, NY, Destroyed. Bolt attaching tail to wing broke,allowed tail to shift into propeller. Crash landed in trees. No current licenses.

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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