# Accident 20230503013199A: Schoennauer Rene  M KITFOX IV, Gretna, NE, May 3, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 3, 2023, 19:00 local time
- Place: Gretna, NE
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.0967° N, 96.2837° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0967&lon=-96.2837&mi=10
- Aircraft: N440RS, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N440RS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schoennauer Rene M KITFOX IV (registry code 05618ED, https://openairdocs.org/model/schoennauer-rene-m-kitfox-iv) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHOENNAUER RENE  M KITFOX IV
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 2,950 total, 50 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA171) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230503013199A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING AN OFF-AIRPORT TAKEOFF FROM A GRASS FIELD, THE TAKE OFF FIELD WAS 700' LONG AND TAKE OFF DIRECTION WAS TO THE SOUTH IN THE DIRECTION OF TREES. TAKEOFF CONDITIONS WERE DAY, VMC WITH LIGHT WINDS FROM THE SOUTH. AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND THE PILOT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN IN WHICH THE RIGHT-WING TIP GRAZED THE GROUND. PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE, THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED WITH THE LEFT WHEEL CONTACTING THE GROUND WITH A SIDE LOAD GREAT ENOUGH TO BREAK THE LEFT WHEEL AXAL, THE SIDE LOADING CAUSED A ROLLING ACTION CAUSEING THE LEFT WING TO STRIKE THE GROUND. AIRCRAFT DID NOT ROLL OVER AND LEFT WING AND LEFT WHEEL AXAL WERE DAMAGED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN23LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA171), May 4, 2023: Kitfox IV (N440RS), Gretna, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a turn immediately after takeoff.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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