# Accident 20230623007429A: Schulke Tom AVID MAGNUM, Beaver Island, MI, June 23, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 23, 2023, 10:30 local time
- Place: Beaver Island, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.7955° N, 85.6095° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7955&lon=-85.6095&mi=10
- Aircraft: N103DG, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N103DG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schulke Tom AVID MAGNUM (registry code 05624J8, https://openairdocs.org/model/schulke-tom-avid-magnum) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHULKE TOM AVID MAGNUM
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,988 total, 389 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA257) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230623007429A

## Narrative

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

ON JUN 23, 2023 AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 LOCAL TIME, AN AMPHIBIOUS FLOAT EQUIPPED EXPERIMENTAL AVID MAGNUM AIRCRAFT,^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, REGISTERED TO A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION AND OPERATED BY A PRIVATE PILOT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE FOLLOWING AN IMPACT WITH THE WATER SURFACE NEAR WHISKY ISLAND IN LAKE MICHIGAN 45° 47.83’ N 85° 36.62’ W. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 91 WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN.  THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS ABLE TO SELF-EGRESS FROM THE AIRCRAFT FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. THE SOLE PASSENGER RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM THE BEAVER ISLAND AIRPORT (SJX), BEAVER ISLAND, MICHIGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 0830.

ACCORDING TO THE CHARLEVOIX COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY WHO WAS ON SCENE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT AND ASSISTED IN ITS RECOVERY STATED THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD HAD BEEN CONDUCTING TRAINING IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT AND FOUND THE PILOT FLOATING IN THE WATER AND INITIATED RESCUE EFFORTS. ACCORDING TO PILOT STATEMENTS FOLLOWING RESCUE HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE “ISLAND HOPPING” TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE NEXT THING HE KNEW THEY WERE IN THE WATER. THE PILOT ALSO STATED HE ATTEMPTED TO RESCUE THE PASSENGER FROM THE SUBMERGED AIRCRAFT, BUT WAS UNABLE.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED IN APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET OF WATER NOSE DOWN WITH THE AIRCRAFT TAIL 3 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE. ALL CONTROL SURFACES AND MAJOR COMPONENTS INCLUDING A LANDING GEAR NOSE WHEEL, WERE FOUND WITHIN A CONFINED DEBRIS FIELD WITH THE FUSELAGE. BOTH FLOATS WERE HIGHLY DAMAGED AND FOUND PARTIALLY SUBMERGED WITH ASSOCIATED MOUNTING STRUTS ON A SAND BAR 500 FEET NORTHWEST OF THE AIRCRAFT.

RECOVERY OF THE WRECKAGE WAS CONDUCTED BY DIVERS FROM THE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE AND A LOCAL BARGE COMPANY. FAA IIC WAS ON-SITE DURING THE RECOVERY.

EXCEPT FOR THE FLOATS AND ASSOCIATED MOUNTING HARDWARE, THE AIRCRAFT WAS INTACT WITH ALL CONTROL SURFACES, ENGINE, AND PROPELLER STILL CONNECTED. FAA AND NTSB FOUND NO MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND PROPELLER DAMAGE SIGNATURES SHOW THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING POWER AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.

## 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 CEN23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA257), Jun 23, 2023: Avid Magnum (N103DG), Beaver Island, MI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering in low visibility conditions due to smoke and haze.

## Other reports on N103DG (1)

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

- [Accident 20100302030119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100302030119A), Mar 2, 2010: Schulke Tom AVID MAGNUM (N103DG), Lowell, MI, Substantial damage. Landing on runway 12, aircraft drifted hard to the right after touchdown. Pilot could not arrest drift. Aircraft went off the right side hitting the snowbank…

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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