Summary
On August 26, 1994, a Robert Eldon Idler TIERRA-2 (N6161Q) was involved in an accident near Prole, IA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The airplane's encounter with the outflow (gust front) from an approaching thunderstorm. Factors were the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the gust front location, and the inability of the airplanes flight control system to compensate for the rolling moment.
On August 25, 1994, at 1915 hours central daylight time, a Tierra-2, 2 seat registered ultralight aircraft, N6161Q, operated by Robert Idler of West Des Moines, Iowa, impacted wooded, hilly terrain 8 miles southwest of Des Moines, Iowa, and was destroyed. The Airline Transport rated pilot and passenger received minor injuries. No fire occurred. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.
The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, originated from Chandler Field on the Gene Wilson Farm in rural Prole, Iowa, at 1900 central daylight time. The pilot reported that he took off in clear weather and was overrun by the gust front of an approaching thunderstorm which was located between 7 and 15 miles away.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI94LA299. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6161Q.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the airplane's encounter with the outflow (gust front) from an approaching thunderstorm. Factors were the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the gust front location, and the inability of the airplanes flight control system to compensate for the rolling moment.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 25, 1994, at 1915 hours central daylight time, a Tierra-2, 2 seat registered ultralight aircraft, N6161Q, operated by Robert Idler of West Des Moines, Iowa, impacted wooded, hilly terrain 8 miles southwest of Des Moines, Iowa, and was destroyed. The Airline Transport rated pilot and passenger received minor injuries. No fire occurred. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.
The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, originated from Chandler Field on the Gene Wilson Farm in rural Prole, Iowa, at 1900 central daylight time. The pilot reported that he took off in clear weather and was overrun by the gust front of an approaching thunderstorm which was located between 7 and 15 miles away. The aircraft entered an uncommanded right descending turn, which the pilot reported he was unable to counter with full left aileron input. He also reported that the engine operated normally until the aircraft impacted trees.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI94LA299