History of Flight
On June 30, 2021, about 0450 central daylight time, an Earthstar Aircraft Gull 2000 experimental light-sport airplane, N1712L, was substantially damaged during a crash near Curtiss, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
A potential buyer of the airplane reported that the pilot offered to fly it from Curtiss to New Richmond Regional Airport (RNH) for inspection. Although the buyer initially suggested meeting at about 1200, the pilot requested a 0600 meeting. The buyer agreed, believing the pilot needed to return to work afterward.
On the accident morning, around 0600, the buyer observed low ground fog at RNH. When the airplane did not arrive, he attempted to contact the pilot via calls and texts starting about 0615, but received no reply. Around 1100, he notified the Clark County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff’s office recorded the pilot’s last cellular activity at approximately 0447.
A witness living near the private airstrip saw the airplane on the ground shortly before 0500. The witness noted foggy conditions and heard the engine as the airplane departed to the west. Another witness reported being awakened by the sound of the airplane departing around 0450 or 0455.
Air traffic control radar and ADS-B data showed no track for the flight. The wreckage was located by the property owner at about 1706.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate but was not instrument rated. His logbook showed 3 hours of simulated instrument flight before his checkride on March 14, 2020, and an additional 0.2 hours during the checkride.
Aircraft Information
The Earthstar Gull 2000 was not equipped for flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Meteorological Information
Multiple Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies reported dense fog near the accident location early that morning, with surface visibility on roadways reduced to 20–100 ft. A semi-trailer truck had run off Wisconsin State Highway 29 because the driver could not see the road in the dense fog.
At 0250, the National Weather Service issued an Area Forecast Discussion noting areas of early morning fog, potentially dense, especially in low-lying areas. At 0400, a Dense Fog Advisory was issued for the area, warning of visibilities 0.5 statute mile or less. At 0345, an AIRMET SIERRA advisory for IFR conditions was in effect, including ceilings below 1,000 ft and visibilities less than 3 sm. The Graphical Forecasts for Aviation at 0400 depicted variable visibilities between 0 and 5 sm near the accident location.
At 0435, weather at Taylor County Airport (MDZ), about 10 sm northeast, reported a calm wind, 0.5 sm visibility with fog, and 500 ft vertical visibility. By 0455, visibility improved to 5 sm with mist and clear skies. Civil twilight began at 0442; official sunrise was at 0519.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The main wreckage was located in a wooded area at the edge of a cornfield, about 0.33 nautical miles southwest of the west end of the grass airstrip used for takeoff. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage. Damage to trees indicated the airplane was traveling south when it descended at an approximately 30° nose-down flight path angle. The airframe parachute rocket deployed due to impact forces; the activation handle was stowed with the safety pin removed. All structural components and flight control surfaces were present at the site. A postaccident examination found no evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have prevented normal operation. All structural damage was consistent with tree and ground impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy authorized by the Clark County Coroner's Office and completed by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner Office determined the pilot sustained traumatic head and neck injuries. No significant natural disease was identified. Toxicology testing by the medical examiner was negative for ethanol and drugs of abuse in the pilot's blood. Further testing by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected ethanol in the pilot's brain (0.012 gm/hg) and lung tissue (0.042 gm/hg), and in urine (0.010 gm/dL). N-propanol was also detected in lung tissue. Tissue samples exhibited putrefaction. No other medications or drugs of abuse were detected in urine.