# NTSB WPR26LA123: Brunner Donald G Kitfox, N104DG, Rock Crossing, AZ, March 10, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 9, 2026, 18:00 local (Mar 10, 2026, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Rock Crossing, AZ - Coordinates: 36.799934, -113.38762 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7999&lon=-113.3876&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Las Vegas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202631 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202631/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202631 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA123 ## Probable cause An encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Brunner Donald G KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=05624TQ), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Brunner Donald G KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=05624TQ), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Brunner Donald G KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05624TQ), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Brunner Donald G KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05624TQ), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Brunner Donald G KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05624TQ), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Brunner Donald G KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05624TQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was maneuvering at a low altitude, searching for a suitable off-airport landing area. While in a left turn, the airplane encountered a downdraft that felt like “downward pressure” and was perceived as a loss of control. The pilot leveled the wings and applied full engine power; however, the airplane continued to descend, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N104DG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N104DG), registered now, S/N LCS146, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRUNNER DONALD G KITFOX - Registry model: [Brunner Donald G KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/brunner-donald-g-kitfox) (registry code 05624TQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LCS146 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 650 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 24, 2026, 2 hours before - Departed: SGU, Saint George, UT - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 31, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 960.8 total, 133.4 in this make and model, 824.8 as pilot in command, 9.9 in the last 90 days, 5.6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KSGU, 21 nm away - METAR: METAR KSGU 092356Z AUTO 27012KT 10SM CLR 23/M05 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP084 T02281050 10239 20133 56015 ## 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 20260309001759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260309001759A), Mar 9, 2026: Brunner Donald G KITFOX, Littlefield, AZ, Destroyed. 03/09/2026 Littlefield, Arizona 17:52 local, operating under 14 CFR part 91 flight. An experimental Kitfox 4 was destroyed on impact with terrain. One pilot,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202631. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20249828&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA123%20-%206120.1%20-%20Pilot_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20249838&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA123%20-%20Record%20of%20conversation%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20250496&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA123%20-%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.