View of Aircraft from Front.
Federal Aviation Administration 
View of Aircraft from Front.
Federal Aviation Administration
View of Aircraft from Left Wingtip. 
View of Aircraft from Left Rear. 
Engine and Propeller Assembly.
Weight-Shift Aircraft Wing and Frame.
Michael Lynn Green
May 1st, 1958 - September 28th, 2019
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Location: Dalton, GA
Accident Number: ERA19LA286
Date & Time: 09/28/2019, 1909 EDT
Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: SOLO WINGS WINDLASS
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On September 28, 2019, at 1909 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built experimental light-sport Solo Wings Windlass weight-shift control aircraft was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Pratermill Flight Park, Dalton, Georgia. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was privately owned and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.
According to the aircraft owner, he purchased the aircraft in 1998 and had flown it about 200 hours before putting it into storage for about 10 years. When the accident pilot expressed an interest in flying the aircraft and started taking lessons in weight-shift control aircraft, the owner took the aircraft out of storage and replaced the fuel lines, fuel filter, tires, tubes, wing spar bungee cord, primer, throttle cable, and battery. He then flew the aircraft a total of 4 to 5 hours since those repairs, with no anomalies noted. On the day of the accident, the owner completed a 30-minute flight and noted no anomalies. The pilot, who had not previously flown the accident aircraft, asked if he could fly it. The owner questioned if he was ready, to which the pilot responded, "yes," and the owner agreed.
The owner witnessed the accident flight and stated that the aircraft rotated about 300 ft down the turf runway and then climbed to an altitude above tree level. The aircraft then turned left and seemed to "falter in the turn" before falling to the ground.
A witness located on the property adjacent to the airport observed the aircraft fly south before making an easterly turn toward his property. He stated that the aircraft "lost lift in the turn and seemed to stall" then made an uncontrolled, turning descent toward the ground. He stated that the engine "revved higher than normal" at the time of the turn.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airmen records, the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land, with commercial pilot privileges for glider and airplane single-engine land. He also held a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine. He was issued an FAA first-class medical certificate on August 28, 2018. At that time, the pilot reported 18,870 total hours of flight experience.
The pilot's flight instructor reported that he had provided the accident pilot about 14 to 16 hours of flight instruction in the 2 months preceding the accident. He considered the pilot one of his better students and stated that he had a good piloting sense. He stated that the pilot was ready for a check ride with another flight instructor to demonstrate proficiency for a weight-shift category endorsement. However, the pilot had not performed such a check ride and did not hold a sport pilot certificate with an endorsement for weight-shift-control-land aircraft. Review of the pilot's logbook showed 13 hours of instruction. The pilot had not logged any flight experience in the accident aircraft.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The two-seat weight-shift control aircraft was equipped with a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, tricycle landing gear, and a single Rotax 503, 50-horsepower engine in a pusher configuration.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed that the aircraft came to rest beyond a tree line and in a fenced pasture located about 450 ft east of runway 17. The wing remained largely intact; however, the structural tubes were bent and fractured in several locations. The landing gear was separated from the fuselage. The aircraft was equipped with an airframe parachute; however, it had not been deployed. Grass along the debris field from the main wreckage displayed blighting consistent with fuel spillage. The 10-gallon fuel tank was separated from the aircraft and punctured and came to rest about 25 ft from the fuselage. Continuity of the throttle cable, wing brace cables, and control bar linkage was confirmed.
The composite, ground-adjustable propeller blades were fractured and fragmented near the blade roots; the propeller hub remained attached to the engine. Examination of the blades revealed chordwise scratching and leading edge damage on the surfaces. The leading edge strip on one blade was deformed from impact. The fibers on the fractured areas near the hub were bent in the direction opposite of rotation.
The engine case was free of cracks or holes. One of the two carburetors was missing. The owner reported that it was not found during the wreckage recovery. The recovered carburetor was separated from the engine during impact. It was normal in appearance. The fuel pump was normal in appearance. The in-line fuel filter was clean and unobstructed. Spark plugs were removed and showed normal wear. The engine rotated freely through several rotations with thumb compression observed and no other damage noted.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Whitfield County, Georgia Coroner did not perform an autopsy or toxicological testing.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/18/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 18870 hours (Total, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: SOLO WINGS
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: WINDLASS
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate:
Serial Number: None
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/08/1999, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 772 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 100 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 207.6 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 503
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 53 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: DNN, 708 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1915 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Dalton, GA (GA72)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Dalton, GA (GA72)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1909 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Pratermill Flight Park (GA72)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 780 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Vegetation
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1500 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 34.883333, -84.888889 (est)
===========
Location: Dalton, GA
Accident Number: ERA19LA286
Date & Time: 09/28/2019, 1909 EDT
Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: SOLO WINGS WINDLASS
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On September 28, 2019, at 1909 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built experimental light-sport Solo Wings Windlass weight-shift control aircraft was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Pratermill Flight Park (GA72), Dalton, Georgia. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was privately owned and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.
According to the aircraft owner, he purchased the aircraft in 1998 and had accumulated about 200 total flight hours on the aircraft before putting it into storage for about 10 years. When the accident pilot expressed an interest in flying the aircraft and started taking lessons in weight-shift control aircraft, the owner took the aircraft out of storage and replaced the fuel lines, fuel filter, tires, tubes, wing spar bungee cord, primer, throttle cable and battery. He had flown the aircraft 4-5 hours since those repairs, with no anomalies noted. On the day of the accident, the owner returned from a 30-minute flight and the pilot asked if he could fly the aircraft. The pilot had not previously flown in the accident aircraft. The owner questioned if he was ready, to which the pilot responded, "Yes," and the owner agreed.
The owner witnessed the accident flight and stated that the aircraft rotated about 300 ft down the turf runway, and then climbed to an altitude above tree level. The aircraft then turned left and seemed to "falter in the turn" before falling to the ground.
A witness located on the property adjacent to the airport observed the aircraft fly south before making an easterly turn toward his property. He stated that the aircraft "lost lift in the turn and seemed to stall," then made an uncontrolled, turning descent toward the ground. He stated that the engine "revved higher than normal" at the time of the turn.
The pilot's flight instructor reported that he had provided about 14 to 16 hours of flight instruction to the pilot in the two months preceding the accident. He considered the pilot's flying skills to be excellent and stated that the pilot was ready for a check ride with another flight instructor to demonstrate proficiency for a weight-shift category endorsement. However, the pilot had not performed such a check ride prior to the accident.
Initial examination of the accident site and wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the aircraft came to rest inverted beyond a tree line and in a fenced pasture located about 450 ft east of runway 17. The wing remained largely intact; however, the structural tubes were bent and fractured in several locations. The landing gear was separated from the fuselage. An initial impact mark and one of the main landing gears were located about 10 ft from the main wreckage. Grass farther along the debris field from the main wreckage appeared blighted, consistent with fuel spillage.
According to FAA airmen records, the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land, with commercial pilot privileges for glider and airplane single-engine land. He also held a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine. He was issued an FAA first-class medical certificate on August 28, 2018. At that time, the pilot reported 18,870 hours of total flight experience.
The two-seat weight-shift control aircraft was equipped with a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, tricycle landing gear, and a single Rotax 503, 50-horsepower engine in a pusher configuration.
The wreckage was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: SOLO WINGS
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: WINDLASS
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Amateur Built:Yes
Operator:On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held:None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: DNN, 708 ft msl
Observation Time: 1915 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 20°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Dalton, GA (GA72)
Destination: Dalton, GA (GA72)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 34.883333, -84.888889 (est)
Pratermill Flight Park Airport (GA72)
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Michael (Mike) Green announce that on Saturday the 28th of September, Mike flew to heaven and reunited with his loving wife, Sue.
Mike (61) lived in Dalton, Georgia and was a retired American Airlines pilot. Mike was a man who never knew a stranger, and had countless friends that became more like family. Known as a man who would do anything for those he loved, he leaves behind a void in the hearts and lives of all that knew him. Mike served as a second father to anyone he thought needed one, and served up the best hugs and dad jokes.
Mike was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sue Green, mother Lenora Green, and faithful dog Lois.
He is survived by his sons, Lee Green (Jade & Melissa) of Austin, Texas; Sam Green (Kelly) of San Francisco, California; his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Michael Ogles of Adairsville, sisters-in-law Jackie Holifield and Sandy Arhelger; 3 grandchildren : Nolan, Henry, and Madison; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by friends that are too numerous to count, but are no less important, as well as his constant companion, Fray-dog.
The memorial service to celebrate the life of Michael Green will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Chapel of Julian Peeples Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 until the service time at 7:00.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Erlanger Healthcare Systems Foundation, where Sue received her cancer treatment.
"May the road rise to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warmly upon your face. May the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God the Father Almighty hold you in the palm of his hand."
https://www.julianpeeples.com
Pratermill Flight Park Airport (GA72)
A friend of the pilot tells NewsChannel 9 the pilot's name was Michael Green of Dalton, and he was a retired pilot with American Airlines.
Newly released 911 calls provide some insight into how witnesses described the weight-shift-control trike just before it went down.
The owner of Pratermill Flight Park says Green was his friend. He says they had the weight-shift-control trike stored for nearly 10 years before taking it out for a ride Saturday. Both he and Green had recently touched it up and had been taking instructor lessons.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are still working to learn what caused the accident.
UPDATE (September 29th):
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the deadly weight-shift-control trike crash that happened in Dalton, Georgia Saturday night.
The Federal Aviation Administration released the following statement:
A weight-shift-control trike crashed at the Pratermill Flight Park Airport in Dalton, Georgia, yesterday at 7:09 p.m. Contact local authorities for information on the pilot, the only person on board. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause of the accident.
The Federal Aviation Administration says a weight-shift-control trike crashed on the east side of the Pratermill Flight Park Airport in Dalton at 7:09 p.m. Authorities confirm there was only one person on board.
PREVIOUSLY (September 28th):
The Whitfield County Sheriff's Department is currently on the scene of a weight-shift-control trike crash. Police say one person is dead.
Officials say the crash happened on 2371 Bryant Circle in Dalton, Georgia.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://newschannel9.com
It never fails to amaze me that pilots like this one, with thousands upon thousands of hours flying heavy iron and many aircraft types, go up in these flying junk boxes. One would presume a professional airline pilot would look at one of these, and say “I don’t think so” but we read over and over about pilots risking all to take off in what’s essentially a flying go-kart. Maybe he so missed his wife...it’d hard to say, yet RIP,
ReplyDeleteretired airman,
You claim to be a "retired Airmen" if that is true you know 66% of all crashes are caused by pilot error. While only 18% are mechanical. He died because he stalled the wing had nothing to do with the aircraft. I have been flying weight shift for years never had any issues with them. I also fly hang gliders for years. We have far less fatal accidents then general aviation. One of the common mistakes of general aviation pilots is getting the controls mixed up. Weight shift your controlling the wing push to go up pull to go down. This would have less performance then what he might have been training in he got too slow panicked pushing forward instead of pulling the control bar back to reduce the AOA. He should have gotten more training and a check ride. Probably even transition training in type aircraft. Even in ultralights or hang gliding an instructor will use a radio to help someone transition. You can't have too much training. Just blaming the aircraft is ignorant the next 777 that crashes killing 300 ill just blame the pilot because the aircraft is perfect.
Delete