Amateur-built LANCAIR LEGACY FG accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 31, 2008
On July 31, 2008 at about 2:37 pm local time, a amateur-built LANCAIR LEGACY FG, registered N515RB, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) 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 during approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2008 · about 2:37 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Wittman Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LANCAIR LEGACY FG
- Registration
- N515RB · no longer on the register · serial LS-205
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight was on a straight-in visual approach after a cross-country, instrument-flight-rules flight. About three and a half miles out from the runway, the flight was number four to land behind other aircraft in the traffic pattern. About one and a half miles out, the flight was cleared to land with traffic turning to final in front of them. Witnesses described a stall, power coming up, and the airplane striking the ground in an inverted attitude about 100 yards before the end of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged and both occupants were fatally injured. The propeller blades exhibited signatures of nicks, gouges, and scratches consistent with engine power at the time of impact. Inspection of the flight control system did not disclose any evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,700 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 97 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-500 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KAFJ Washinton PA at 11:50 am
- Destination: Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 27, 6,178 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 2:42 pm from KOSH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.