Amateur-built BD5B accident near Traverse City, Michigan, November 1, 2003
On November 1, 2003 at about 8:52 pm local time, a amateur-built BD5B, registered N515KH, was destroyed in an accident near Traverse City, Michigan (Cherry Capital airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot in command not maintaining control of the aircraft during the final approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 2003 · about 8:52 pm local time
- Place
- Traverse City, Michigan · Cherry Capital · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BD5B
- Registration
- N515KH · no longer on the register · serial 474
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the terrain during landing approach. The airplane came to rest about 1,000 feet short of the intended landing runway. According to the air traffic controller (ATC), the pilot taxied and called for departure at 1543. The airplane was cleared for takeoff and was to maintain a southwest heading after takeoff. The controller stated that the pilot called to return to the field at 1545. The controller asked the pilot if anything was wrong, because of the brief duration of the flight. The controller stated that at this time the pilot reported no problems. At 1546, the airplane was cleared to land. At 1547, the pilot indicated a gear problem and requested to circle the field. At 1550, the pilot informed the controller that "everything looks ok." The airplane was again cleared to land. At 1552, the airplane crashed approximately 1/2 mile south of runway 36. No pre-impact defects were found with respect to the aircraft during a post-accident examination. The reported winds were from 090 degrees at 5 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 180 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 890 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Honda CX500 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TVC Traverse City MI at 8:43 pm
- Destination: TVC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 5,107 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from TVC, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.