# Accident 20200711008869A: Golden Circle Air Inc T-BIRD TANDEM TBT-06, Grosse Ile, MI, July 11, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 11, 2020, 16:47 local time
- Place: Grosse Ile, MI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.1108° N, 83.1722° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1108&lon=-83.1722&mi=10
- Aircraft: N50JH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50JH-2023-03-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Golden Circle Air T-BIRD TANDEM TBT-06 (registry code 05904UV, https://openairdocs.org/model/golden-circle-air-t-bird-tandem-tbt-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 618 (registry code 55578, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GOLDEN CIRCLE AIR INC T-BIRD TANDEM TBT-06
- Reported engine: ROTAX 618
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN20LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA272) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200711008869A

## Narrative

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

A/C DEPARTED DOWNWIND FROM A TAXIWAY, STRIKING A TAXIWAY LIGHT ON ROTATION AND CAUSING OTHER HELICOPTER TRAFFIC TO ABORT TAKEOFF.

VIDEO SHOWS A/C  REACTING TO THE TURBULENCE OF A GUSTY CROSSWIND. PILOT WAS VIDEO-RECORDED FLYING AT AN ESTIMATED  200-400' AGL FOR 20-40 MINUTES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE IN THE BACK YARD OF A RESIDENCE.  PILOT WAS EJECTED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

FUEL SYSTEM WAS INTACT WITH FUEL IN FILTER, LINES AND CARBURETOR BOWLS. TOTAL FUEL ON BOARD COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. A STRONG FUEL ODOR PERSISTED AT THE SCENE FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE "SPUTTERING" (ROTAX ENGINE) THEN "REVVING" BEFORE SOUNDS OF AN IMPACT. A CERTIFIED ROTAX MECHANIC COULD FIND NO REASON FOR POWER LOSS.

FAMILY MEMBERS STATED THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY THE PILOT'S THE FIRST OR SECOND FLIGHT AS PILOT, CERTAINLY IN THIS A/C. A PREVIOUS INCIDENT HAD RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE AMPHIBIOUS LANDING GEAR WHICH WAS POORLY REPAIRED WITH HARDWARE PIPE AND POOR WELDS.

THE FRONT CONTROL STICK GRIP WAS FOUND LYING ON THE COCKPIT FLOOR, SEPARATE FROM THE ELEVATOR AND AILERON ACTUATING LINKAGE . THE RETENTION BOLT WAS NOT INSTALLED NOR LOCATED IN THE WRECKAGE, NOR WERE THERE SIGNS OF STRESS OR DEFORMATION IN THE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. THE CONTROL STICK COULD BE EASILY REMOVED FROM THE CONTROL MECHANISM WITH A SLIGHT UPWARD PULL.

DISCUSSION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS SUGGEST THAT THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD PURCHASED AN ULTRALIGHT AND WAS PROBABLY UNAWARE OF ANY PILOT OR MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT HE WAS FLYING. NO AIRCRAFT OR PILOT TRAINING OR CERTIFICATION RECORDS COULD BE LOCATED. THE A/C REGISTRATION REMAINED IN THE NAMES OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS.

## 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 CEN20LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA272), Jul 11, 2020: Golden Circle Air T-Bird (N50JH), Grosse Ile, MI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight…

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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