# NTSB CHI04LA231: Stephen T-Bird TBT06, N655DM, Gobles, MI, August 17, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2004, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Gobles, MI
- Coordinates: 42.36058, -85.870269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3606&lon=-85.8703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA231

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions which resulted in an encounter with a downdraft that exceeded the climb capabilities of the airplane.  The downdraft and the trees were factors.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane was unable to climb under full power and descended into trees.  The pilot stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.  He stated that the winds at the accident location were about 4 knots, and that there were black clouds associated with a thunderstorm to the north of his location.

## Factual narrative

On August 17, 2004, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Stephen T-bird TBT06, N655DM, piloted by a non-certificated pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and the ground shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Gobles, Michigan.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The pilot and passenger received serious injuries.  The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he performed a pre-flight inspection and warm-up of the airplane prior to the flight.  He said that he performed a full-throttle takeoff and cleared a grouping of 70 to 80 foot tall trees by approximately 50 feet.  He stated that he was above the stall speed of the airplane the entire flight.  He said that after clearing the trees the airplane started descending and would not climb.  He said that the airplane continued to descend until impacting more trees even though the airplane was at full throttle.  He stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.  He stated that the weather conditions where the accident occurred were light winds at about 4 knots.  He stated that there were some black clouds associated with a thunderstorm to the north of this location.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N655DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N655DM-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N TBA-1008, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Stephen T-Bird TBT06
- Registry model: [Merk Stephen T-BIRD TBT06](https://openairdocs.org/model/merk-stephen-t-bird-tbt06) (registry code 056040T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: TBA-1008
- Engines: Rotax reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Gobles, MI
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: serious; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC)
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KAZO, 18 nm away

## 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 20040817028299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040817028299A), Aug 17, 2004: Amtr TBIRDTBT06, Gobles, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Mark eggleston, the owner, had asked dwight fleming if he could teach him how to fly. Dwight said yes as he had been flying ultra lights for about 20…

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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