Amateur-built TIERRA II accident near Dallas, North Carolina, September 18, 1983
On September 18, 1983 at about 9:00 pm local time, a amateur-built TIERRA II (ultralight), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dallas, North Carolina (Lynn Field). It was an instructional flight under ultralight rules (Part 103). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 1983 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Dallas, North Carolina · Lynn Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TIERRA II
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial 3449761
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · ultralight rules (Part 103)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) STATED HE WAS TAKING OFF ON A TRAINING FLT WITH A STUDENT, USING A 2 PLACE, ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE RUBBER TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TAILWHEEL & IT BEGAN TO DIG INTO THE AIRSTRIP. THE PIC REPORTED THAT AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE WIND SHIFTED TO A QUARTERING TAIL WIND, AND CONSEQUENTLY HE STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING TERRAIN. HOWEVER, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A DIRT BANK & THE ULTRALIGHT CAME TO REST IN A THICKET. THE PIC WAS REGISTERED WITH AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION AS AN ASF EXAMINER. ALSO, HE WAS DESIGNATED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO GIVE INSTRUCTION IN THE TIERRA II ULTRALIGHT AS REQUIRED BY FAA EXEMPTION 3783. THE PIC HAD LOGGED APRX 25 HRS IN SINGLE ENG LAND ACFT, BUT HAD ACCUMULATED APRX 850 HRS IN ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 875 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 850 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Ultra Flight CORP.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 600 ft by 250 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.