# NTSB WPR26LA248: Dean J Irvin KFA Safari XL, N927MD, Saratoga, WY, July 3, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 3, 2026, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Saratoga, WY
- Coordinates: 41.443528, -106.82752
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4435&lon=-106.8275&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203340/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203340
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA248

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dean J Irvin KFA SAFARI XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05643F7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dean J Irvin KFA SAFARI XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05643F7), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dean J Irvin KFA SAFARI XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05643F7), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dean J Irvin KFA SAFARI XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05643F7), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the left wing was lifted by a wind gust, and the airplane began to veer to the left. Despite the pilot’s left flaperon input and application of right rudder, the airplane ground looped to the left. Subsequently, the right wing contacted the runway and the landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 05, with the winds from 330° at 3 knots gusting 14 Knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N927MD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N927MD), registered now, S/N 092-07-24, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEAN J IRVIN KFA SAFARI XL
- Registry model: [Dean J Irvin KFA SAFARI XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/dean-j-irvin-kfa-safari-xl) (registry code 05643F7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 916 IS A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-916-is-a) (registry code 55623, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 092-07-24
- Year built: 2024
- Airframe hours: 86.7
- Engines: Rotax 916iS A 160 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 2, 2026, 12.3 hours before
- Departed: SGU, St. George, UT
- Destination: KSAA, Saratoga, WY
- Airport: SAA, Shivley Field Airport, runway 05, 8,801 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 22, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,914 total, 99 in this make and model, 1,767 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observed at: KSAA
- METAR: METAR KSAA 032015Z AUTO 33003G14KT 10SM BKN110 23/M04 A3024 RMK AO2

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203340. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20987622&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1.%206120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 690 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20805877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6.%20Investigation%20Photographs-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.

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