Airborne XT912 accident near Bristol, Wisconsin, June 7, 2020
On June 7, 2020, a 2003 Airborne XT912 (weight-shift aircraft), registered N88ZT, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Bristol, Wisconsin (Winfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's incorrect flight control input during the landing flare, which resulted in an impact with the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 2020
- Place
- Bristol, Wisconsin · Winfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airborne XT912, built 2003
- Registration
- N88ZT · registry record · serial XT-15
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 24,410 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 14,733 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,160 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WI58 Bristol WI
- Destination: WI58 Bristol WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 045° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 24, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.