# Accident 20160520024549A: Michael Burton CALIDUS, Fruitland, UT, May 20, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 20, 2016, 11:00 local time
- Place: Fruitland, UT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.1242° N, 111.0017° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1242&lon=-111.0017&mi=10
- Aircraft: N50NE, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50NE-2020-09-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Michael Burton CALIDUS (registry code 05633B9, https://openairdocs.org/model/michael-burton-calidus) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912 series (registry code 55569, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MICHAEL BURTON CALIDUS
- Reported engine: ROTAX 912
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR16LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA114) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160520024549A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON A VFR FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT DEPARTED DUCHESNE, UTAH ABOUT 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WITH A PLANNED DESTINATION OF SPANISH FORK, UT (U77).  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE APPROACHED HIS LAST RIDGE LINE, ABOUT 200 FT ABOVE THE PEAK, THEY ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED 500 FT INTO A BOX CANYON.  HE WAS UNABLE TO OUT CLIMB THE TERRAIN, THE PILOT GUIDED THE AIRCRAFT OVER A RIVER AT THE BASE OF A CANYON AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE SHORE OF A RIVER.  THE RIGHT WHEEL STRUCK A BOLDER AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED OVER, COMING TO REST IN THE RIVER.

A WITNESS, WHO WAS FISHING IN THE RIVER, CALLED 911 TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT RECOVERED UNTIL LATER THAT EVENING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR16LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA114), May 20, 2016: Michael Burton Calidus (N50NE), Fruitland, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper judgment in conducting a flight in a gyroplane over mountainous terrain near its demonstrated maximum operating altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance…

## Other reports on N50NE (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20150106000249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150106000249A), Jan 6, 2015: Michael Burton CALIDUS (N50NE), Glade Park, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed montrose Colorado at approx 1630, heading toward spanish fork Utah in a north west direction. Attempted to climb over mountainous terrain,…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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