# NTSB SEA88LA116: Teratron Tierra 2, N488JL, Kent, WA, June 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1988, 21:08 local (Jun 24, 1988, 04:08 UTC)
- Place: Kent, WA
- Coordinates: 47.359233, -122.100311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3592&lon=-122.1003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT WAS INTENTIONALLY TAXIING ON GRASS BETWEEN PAVED RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY FOR BETTER TAILWHEEL CONTROL. THE ACFT STRUCK AN UNSEEN OBSTRUCTION IN DUSK CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N488JL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TERATRON TIERRA 2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3488517
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael J. Demarco
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: S88, ARLINGTON, WA
- Destination: S36, KENT, WA
- Airport: S36, Crest Airpark, runway 33, 3,267 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 315 total, 10 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI, 13 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 19880623042109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880623042109A), Jun 23, 1988: Amtrte TIERRA2, Kent, WA, Substantial damage. Taxied on grass for better control after landing. Struck unmarked weather device in grass. Dusk limited visibility.

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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