Loss of Control in Flight: Airborne XT912, N88ZT; accident occurred June 07, 2020 at Bristol Airport (WN63), Kenosha County, Wisconsin

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 
 
https://registry.faa.gov/N88ZT

Location: Bristol, WI
Accident Number: CEN20CA217
Date & Time: 06/07/2020, 1900 CDT
Registration: N88ZT
Aircraft: AIRBORNE XT912
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The experienced fixed wing pilot, who had 16 flight hours in weight shift aircraft, stated he was conducting touch and go landings on his first solo flight in a 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 malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/05/2012
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  24410 hours (Total, all aircraft), 16 hours (Total, this make and model), 14733 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AIRBORNE
Registration: N88ZT
Model/Series: XT912
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: XT-15
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:2 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/15/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1160 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 912
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 80 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:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 45°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bristol, WI (WI58)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Bristol, WI (WI58)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  CDT
Type of Airspace: Class C

Airport Information

Airport: Winfield (WI58)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 770 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and Go; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 42.518889, -88.025278 (est)