# NTSB CHI00LA130: Grunska Kitfox IV, N4956, Neenah, WI, May 2, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 2000, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Neenah, WI
- Coordinates: 44.159893, -88.469841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1599&lon=-88.4698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA130

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain driectional control of the airplane while landing.  A factor associated with the accident was the tree that the airplane contacted.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane contacted a tree while landing to the east on a private airstrip (2,000 foot x 80 foot wide grass field). He stated he 'landed short' and added power. He stated, '...we made the runway easily, but bounced once and headed into a tree.' The pilot reported the local winds were out of the east at 12 knots.  Inspection of the accident site revealed the airplane traveled off the north side of the airstrip where it contacted a tree.

## Factual narrative

On May 2, 2000, at 1020 central daylight time, a Kitfox IV, N4956, collided with trees following a loss of control while landing on a private airstrip on Neenah, Wisconsin.  The private pilot received a minor injury and the passenger was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The local flight originated at approximately 0930 cdt.

The pilot was landing to the east on a 2,000 foot long, 80 foot wide grass field.  He stated he "landed short" and added power.  He stated, "...we made the runway easily, but bounced once and headed into a tree."

The pilot reported the local winds were out of the east at 12 knots.  Inspection of the accident site revealed the airplane traveled off the north side of the airstrip where it contacted a tree.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4956](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4956-2008-06-13), registration cancelled 2008-06-13, S/N 1428, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grunska KITFOX IV
- Registry model: [Grunska Norman KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/grunska-norman-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05622BT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1428
- Airframe hours: 48
- Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman C. Grunska
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 2, 2000, 48 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 9, 2,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 48 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 4 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20000502036979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000502036979A), May 2, 2000: Amtr KITFOXIV, Oshkosh, WI, No damage. (-23) On may 2, 2000, at 10:20 cdst a (amerateur built aircraft) Kitfox iv,N4956, impacted a tree after landing at a private air field at 2588 highway gg…

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.

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