Amateur-built TT FOX accident near Wasilla, Alaska, August 29, 2022
On August 29, 2022 at about 8:04 pm local time, a 2022 amateur-built TT FOX, registered N2723P, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Wasilla, Alaska (Wolf Lake airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 2022 · about 8:04 pm local time
- Place
- Wasilla, Alaska · Wolf Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TT FOX, built 2022
- Registration
- N2723P · registry record · serial C9404-002
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to witnesses, the airplane took off on runway 08 and then turned back toward the airport. The pilot made a radio call that he was turning downwind for landing. The accident occurred during the fifth flight of the phase 1 test flights after the pilot finished building the airplane. Witnesses heard changes in the engine rpm they described as the engine revving, going to idle, and surging. They also reported that the airplane was traveling “fast,” with pitch oscillations; the airplane approached the gravel runway in a right-wing-low turn as if it was going to land. The airplane then pitched down abruptly before striking trees about 60 to 80 ft before penetrating the side of a hangar, where it came to rest. Data downloaded from an onboard device showed the airplane turned crosswind after takeoff then entered a right downwind for the runway. Once abeam the departure end of the runway, the airplane stopped its climb, began a descent, and turned toward the approach end of the intersecting gravel strip. The data also showed that the engine rpm changed from idle to maximum three times in the last 8 seconds of flight. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the rpm oscillations and pitch variations could not be determined with the available information. Given the witness statements and that the pilot was turning toward the gravel runway, it is likely that he was experiencing an issue with the airplane that could not be determined with the available information.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during unknown
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 140 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax E-TEC 850 (piston); 4 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.49 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PAAQ, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAAQ 292053Z 18005KT 10SM SCT015 SCT065 15/09 A2949 RMK AO2 SLP989 T01500089 51005 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ANC22FA069.