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NTSB Report
April 22, 1984 · Teratorn Aircraft Tierra II · UNREG
Chico, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Chico, CA
Aircraft
Teratorn Aircraft Tierra II
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FU026
THE ULTRALIGHT WAS BEING TEST FLOWN AFTER ALTERATIONS TO THE ACFT & ITS FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM. THE PLT PUT THE ACFT THROUGH SOME MANEUVERS AND DURING ONE OF THEM, DESCRIBED BY WITNESSES AS A CHANDELLE, THE ACFT NOSED DOWN & CRASHED INTOTHE GROUND. THE ACFT DOVE FROM ABOUT 300 FT AGL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN ELEVATOR CONTROL SEAT HORN HAD FAILED & SEPARATED IN FLT. PARTS OF THIS FAILED PART WERE NOT FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE. THIS CONTROL PART HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH MORE SPACING WASHERS THAN REQUIRED WHICH INCREASED ITS TORSIONAL LOADING. AFTER THIS FAILURE, THE PLT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE ACFT ELEVATOR.
Full Narrative
THE ULTRALIGHT WAS BEING TEST FLOWN AFTER ALTERATIONS TO THE ACFT & ITS FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM. THE PLT PUT THE ACFT THROUGH SOME MANEUVERS AND DURING ONE OF THEM, DESCRIBED BY WITNESSES AS A CHANDELLE, THE ACFT NOSED DOWN & CRASHED INTOTHE GROUND. THE ACFT DOVE FROM ABOUT 300 FT AGL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN ELEVATOR CONTROL SEAT HORN HAD FAILED & SEPARATED IN FLT. PARTS OF THIS FAILED PART WERE NOT FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE. THIS CONTROL PART HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH MORE SPACING WASHERS THAN REQUIRED WHICH INCREASED ITS TORSIONAL LOADING. AFTER THIS FAILURE, THE PLT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE ACFT ELEVATOR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftTeratorn Aircraft Tierra II
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind310° @ 7 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:45
Weather SourceWFAC