Amateur-built Europa XS accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 23, 2006
On July 23, 2006 at about 1:45 pm local time, a amateur-built Europa XS, registered N229WC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Wittman Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach which resulted in a stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2006 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Wittman Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Europa XS
- Registration
- N229WC · registry record · serial 229
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged when it stalled and collided with the runway following a loss of control while on final approach to runway 27 (6,178 feet by 150 feet, dry asphalt). Witnesses described the airplane as being "slow" on base leg and final approach. One of the witnesses, a certified flight instructor, stated the airplane had full flaps extended and it remained slow as it overshot final approach. Four of the witnesses reported seeing the right wing drop as the airplane was turning onto final approach. Three of the witnesses reported the airplane stalled during the turn. Several of the witnesses reported seeing the airplane begin to spin in a nose down attitude just prior to it contacting the runway. One witness reported hearing the engine operating prior to the impact. Post accident inspection of the airframe and engine failed to reveal any pre-existing mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the accident.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 385 hours in all; 222 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912S (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C47 Portage WI
- Destination: OSH Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 6,178 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 1:48 pm from OSH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.