# NTSB ATL85FMG04: Gross Taylor Titch, N9438, Liberty, NC, March 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1985, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, NC
- Coordinates: 35.850372, -79.56916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8504&lon=-79.5692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FMG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FMG04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES INTERVIEWED, PILOT MADE A TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 2, HOLDING THE PLANE JUST A FEW FEET OFF THE RUNWAY WITH A STEEP PULL UP AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. IT WAS THEN OBSERVED DOING A STEEP BANK, LOW ALTITUDE 180 DEGREE TURN AND PROCEEDED DIAGONALLY BACK ACROSS THE RUNWAY AT AN ALTITUDE LESS THAN 25 FEET AND MADE ANOTHER STEEP PULL-UP AND ANOTHER STEEP TURN AT WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9438](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9438-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N RITP10, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GROSS TAYLOR TITCH (TAYLOR TIT)
- Registry model: [Gross TAYLOR TITCH](https://openairdocs.org/model/gross-taylor-titch) (registry code 0563417) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RITP 10
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy O'Dell Millikan, doing business as Rt. 1 Box 4227
- Registered owner: Darryl F. Gross
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 15, 1984
- Departed: 2A5, LIBERTY, NC
- Destination: 41A, MADISON, NC
- Airport: 2A5, Causey

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 322 total, 313 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Observed at: 2A5

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850323021609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850323021609A), Mar 23, 1985: Amtrty TAYLORTITCH, Julian, NC, Destroyed. Low altitude wing over maneuvers over airport. During steep climb 90 degree bank turn, stalled, impacted ground.

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.

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