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CEN20CA217

2020-06-06 · Bristol, Wisconsin, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport WI58

Current FAA registration · N88ZT

Make / Model
AIRBORNE 912 XT
Year of manufacture
2003 · 17 years old at event
Engine
ROTAX 912UL SERIES (80 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20100129
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AC1DCD

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's incorrect flight control input during the landing flare, which resulted in an impact with the ground.

Factual narrative

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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Incorrect use/operation
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2020_CEN20CA217.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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