# NTSB NYC98LA088: Ramseyer Tierra II, N63250, Wooster, OH, April 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1998, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC) - Place: Wooster, OH - Coordinates: 40.809886, -81.930335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8099&lon=-81.9303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39551 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39551/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the landing approach. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and had received about 1 hour of dual instruction with a certified flight instructor (CFI) in the airplane, prior to the accident flight. The pilot said he was having trouble keeping the airplane stable during the landing approach because it produced a lot of lift and wanted to fly. The pilot stated '...I was controlling my altitude with the throttle until I stalled and dropped...' The 1 hour of dual instruction the pilot received before the accident was his only flight experience in make and model. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1998, about 1425 eastern standard time, a homebuilt TIERRA II, N63250, was substantially damaged during a landing to a private unlisted airstrip in Wooster, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that originated at the airstrip and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated he had recently purchased the airplane and had received about 1 hour of dual instruction with a certified flight instructor (CFI) in the airplane, prior to the accident flight. The pilot said he was having trouble keeping the airplane stable during the landing approach because it produced a lot of lift and wanted to fly. He also stated, the airplane was constantly being moved about by wind gusts. The pilot said he slowed the airplane to "20" on the airspeed indicator and was then caught by a gust of wind which raised the airplane's nose and slowed the airspeed. The airplane then hit the ground nose low. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot indicated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. He also stated, "...I was controlling my altitude with the throttle until I stalled and dropped..." Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector, did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. The pilot reported 91 hours of total flight experience on his last application for an FAA Third Class Medical Certificate which was issued on September 15, 1997. The 1 hour of dual instruction he received before the accident was his only flight experience in make and model. Winds reported at a nearby airport at 1453, were from 050 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63250](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63250-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N R250063, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ramseyer TIERRA II - Registry model: [Ramseyer Don TIERRA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/ramseyer-don-tierra-ii) (registry code 05676H1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: R250063 - Engines: Bombardier ROTAX 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William D. Cherry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BJJ, 2 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 19980403035499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980403035499A), Apr 3, 1998: Amtr TIERRA2, Wooster, OH, Substantial damage. On April 3, 1998, about 1425 eastern standard time, a homebuilt tierra 11, N63250, was substantially damaged during a landing to a Private airstrip in Wooster,… 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.