# NTSB CEN20CA217: Airborne XT912, N88ZT, Bristol, WI, June 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2020, 19:00 local (Jun 7, 2020, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Bristol, WI - Coordinates: 42.51889, -88.025276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5189&lon=-88.0253&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101402 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101402/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101402 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA217 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect flight control input during the landing flare, which resulted in an impact with the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne 912 XT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05902UG), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne 912 XT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902UG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Airborne 912 XT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05902UG), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Airborne 912 XT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05902UG), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experienced fixed-wing pilot, who had 16 flight hours in weight-shift-control aircraft, stated he was conducting touch-and-go landings during his first solo flight in the weight-shift aircraft when a sink rate developed in the landing flare. He said negative inference occurred from his fixed wing experience and he pulled back on the control tube instead of pushing forward. The aircraft nosed into the runway, substantially damaging both wing spars. The pilot stated there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88ZT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88ZT), registered now, S/N XT-15, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBORNE XT912 - Registry model: [Airborne 912 XT](https://openairdocs.org/model/airborne-912-xt) (registry code 05902UG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: XT-15 - Year built: 2003 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2019 - Departed: WI58, Bristol, WI - Destination: WI58, Bristol, WI - Airport: WI58, Winfield, runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 24,410 total, 16 in this make and model, 14,733 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg ## 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 20200607010189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200607010189A), Jun 7, 2020: Airborne 912 XT, Bristol, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot had not yet soloed in weight shift aircraft but felt comfortable from last session to perform take offs and landings safely. Take off and pattern were… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101402. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.