# NTSB CHI96LA176: Merlin GT, N68EV, Charlotte, MI, May 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1996, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, MI
- Coordinates: 42.560539, -84.830467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5605&lon=-84.8305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA176

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.  A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting his second flight in the amateur-built airplane.  He stated that he attempted to go around; however, a loss of airspeed occurred.  The right main landing gear impacted the terrain followed by the airplane turning around and the tail impacting the ground.

## Factual narrative

On May 25, 1996, at 1145 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Merlin GT, N68EV, collided with terrain.  The airplane was on the second flight when a go-around was attempted from an approach to runway 32 (2,318' x 100' dry/turf) at Fitch H. Beach Airport, near Charlotte, Michigan.  The commercial pilot reported no injuries.  There was no flight plan on file for the personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight.  The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions.  The flight departed at 1010.

The pilot stated that a gust of wind required him to attempt to go around instead of continuing the landing.  He said he encountered a loss of airspeed and the right main landing gear impacted the ground.  The airplane then turned around and the tail impacted the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68EV-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 94036, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Merlin GT
- Registry model: [Van Fossen Richard E MERLIN GT](https://openairdocs.org/model/van-fossen-richard-e-merlin-gt) (registry code 05602JR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 94036
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: Rotax 618 74 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard E. Van Fossen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 07G
- Airport: 07G, Fitch H Beach, runway 32, 2,318 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 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).

- [Incident 19960525011599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960525011599I), May 25, 1996: Amtr MERLIN, Charlotte, MI, Minor damage. Narrative: while landing and just above runway aircraft yawed to the right. Pilot applied power and attempted to go-around. Aircraft stalled and right main…

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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