Ultravia Aero Int'L PELICAN accident near Winneconne, Wisconsin, August 1, 1996
On August 1, 1996 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Ultravia Aero Int'L PELICAN, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered CFPWZ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Winneconne, Wisconsin (Courtney Plummer airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground swerve. The location of the tree was a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 1996 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Winneconne, Wisconsin · Courtney Plummer · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ultravia Aero Int'L PELICAN, amateur-built
- Registration
- CFPWZ · no longer on the register · serial 521
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the pilot was attempting to takeoff, the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a tree. The pilot stated that he lost control of the airplane during the initial takeoff roll. An examination of the airplane failed to reveal any preexisting mechanical anomaly.
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: 82 hours in all; 24 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 23 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,100 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, May 2, 1996; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4D4
- Destination: OSH Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,400 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from OSH, 8 miles away
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.