Jihlavan KP-5 accident near Norfolk, Nebraska, May 11, 2008
On May 11, 2008 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Jihlavan KP-5, registered N79KP, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Norfolk, Nebraska (Karl Stefan Memorial 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
A hard landing as a result of the pilot's improper flare. A contributing factor was the prevailing wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2008 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Norfolk, Nebraska · Karl Stefan Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Jihlavan KP-5
- Registration
- N79KP · registry record · serial 5125142 M
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 475-hour private pilot approached runway 19 at 70 mph and selected "one notch" of flaps. The pilot stated that the wind was light and variable, but that the airplane still had a wind correction angle to the runway. The pilot stated he still had the "crab [angle]" (to the runway) still in, when he flared too high. He added that the airplane's speed was about 60 mph. The airplane's right wing dropped as he pushed the control stick forward and added engine power; however, the airplane hit the runway at a right angle of about 15-20 degrees. The airplane's nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid for 50-60 feet, before coming to rest in the upright position. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose wheel had separated from the aircraft and the right wing had sustained substantial damage.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 475 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 370 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 223 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 1, 2007
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OFK Norfolk NE
- Destination: Norfolk NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 5,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from KOFK
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.