Amateur-built T-BIRD II accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 3, 1997
On August 3, 1997 at about 12:25 pm local time, a amateur-built T-BIRD II, registered N41873, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Wittman Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed and loss of control resulting in a stall. Factors were the tree and the fence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 1997 · about 12:25 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Wittman Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built T-BIRD II
- Registration
- N41873 · no longer on the register · serial 3343
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-in-command stated that approximately 40 feet above ground level after takeoff from the 1500 foot grass field, the airplane, 'Would not climb hardly enough to clear the first set of trees.' The pilot reported that he, 'Could not get the nose down to gain airspeed. Turned aileron left, plane went right headed towards antiques airplanes. Used only rudder, and it turned left but went into a full stall hitting trees...' The aircraft came to rest after impacting a tree line and a chain-link fence. Witnesses to the accident reported that the airplane's engine was operating and at full power at the time of the accident. Post accident investigation revealed no anomalies with the aircraft or engine. Control continuity was confirmed for both roll and pitch axis with no anomalies found. The pilot further stated, 'When we arrived at the field that morning someone was in the cabin with the door open. I believe he or someone tampered with the controls.'
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: 121 hours in all; 15 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 121 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (expired)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1997
- Maximum gross weight: 991 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: C47 Portage WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 1,500 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am 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.
Other NTSB records under N41873 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.