Pilot Debrief

TERATORN TIERRA near Cutchogue, NY — 2009-06-07

Final reportERA09CA332
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Date
2009-06-07
Location
Cutchogue, NY, USA
Aircraft
TERATORN TIERRA
Registration
Unregister
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to attempt takeoff from unsuitable terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he recently installed a newly rebuilt engine in his unregistered experimental amateur-built airplane and completed a 1-hour break-in procedure the day prior to the accident. He was departing from a soft field and he believed that the engine got wet or that the propeller was damaged by mud or rocks during the takeoff, reducing thrust. The airplane gained only 40 to 50 feet of altitude before it impacted trees. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the empennage. The reason for loss of engine power was not determined. The pilot stated he should have taken the airplane back to his home base and not attempted the takeoff from the soft field.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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