Crash location | 43.433333°N, 83.861667°W |
Nearest city | Saginaw, MI
43.419470°N, 83.950807°W 4.6 miles away |
Tail number | N1041Z |
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Accident date | 20 Apr 2007 |
Aircraft type | Johnson-Whittman Tailwind JW9L |
Additional details: | None |
The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with a fence and terrain. The pilot suspected engine problems on takeoff and elected to return to the departure airport. The pilot's accident report stated, "Pilot has flown over the old 4' fence many times over in the last 20 years, but did not realize the new 6' fence was out of sight and at this distance the pilot needs to lower the tail for a 3 point landing." An examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and clearance from a fence while on final approach.