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NTSB Report
June 18, 1985 · Teratorn Tierra II · N4438V
Lake Charles, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Lake Charles, LA
Aircraft
Teratorn Tierra II
Tail Number
N4438V
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85FRD02
THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A BEAN BAG DROP CONTEST WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER DROPPING THE LAST BAG THE ACFT MADE A TURN TO THE WEST, ENTERED A SPIN AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT'S DAUGHTER REPORTED THE PLT HAD BEEN FEELING ILL AND WAS UNUSUALLY THIRSTY DURING THE 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CORONER REPORTED IN THE AUTOPSY, '... THE DECEASED WAS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA OR AN EARLY MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPEMENT OF A MYOCARDIAL ARRYTHMIA OR CARDIAL ARREST INFRACTION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH SUBSEQUENT CRASH.'
Full Narrative
THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A BEAN BAG DROP CONTEST WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER DROPPING THE LAST BAG THE ACFT MADE A TURN TO THE WEST, ENTERED A SPIN AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT'S DAUGHTER REPORTED THE PLT HAD BEEN FEELING ILL AND WAS UNUSUALLY THIRSTY DURING THE 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CORONER REPORTED IN THE AUTOPSY, '... THE DECEASED WAS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA OR AN EARLY MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPEMENT OF A MYOCARDIAL ARRYTHMIA OR CARDIAL ARREST INFRACTION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH SUBSEQUENT CRASH.'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftTeratorn Tierra II
Tail NumberN4438V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT