# NTSB FTW95LA132: Schmanski Kitfox III, N951BW, Greeley, CO, March 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1995, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.439208, -104.670074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4392&lon=-104.6701&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 18, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA132

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - hangar/airport building

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE LANDING APPROACH WAS NORMAL AND THE TOUCH DOWN WAS ON THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE BUT, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED DUE TO A REAR QUARTERING TAILWIND SHEAR. THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO ABORT THE LANDING, BUT THE WIND FORCED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE SIDE OF A HANGAR.

## Factual narrative

On March 4, 1995, at 1115 mountain standard time, a Schmanski Kitfox III, N951BW, was destroyed during an aborted landing at Greeley, Colorado.  The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report:  The pilot took off and remained in the traffic pattern.  The landing approach was normal and the touch down was on the runway centerline but the airplane bounced due to a "rear quarter shear."  The pilot applied full power in an attempt to go around, but the gusts continued taking the aircraft to the right of the runway and blew it into the hangar.  Witness statements corroborated the pilot's report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N951BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N951BW-2004-02-04), registration cancelled 2004-02-04, S/N 951, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHMANSKI KITFOX III
- Registry model: [Schmanski W C / Schmanski B T KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/schmanski-w-c-schmanski-b-t-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05618M3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 951
- Airframe hours: 125
- Engines: ROTAX 582 UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Schmanski, Wm. C./Bernard T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1994, 9 hours before
- Departed: GXY
- Destination: GXY, CO
- Airport: GXY, Greeley-Weld County, runway 9, 6,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 651 total, 63 in this make and model, 523 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GXY

## 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 19950304003029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950304003029A), Mar 4, 1995: Amtrdf KITFOX, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. Bounced on rear quartering down wind landing. Was blown off runway into a hangar.

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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