Larsen T-BIRD II N41873

Summary

On 3 August 1997 at about 12:25 local time, a Larsen T-BIRD II registered N41873 was involved in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 1997 at 12:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Wittman Regional Airport (OSH)

Coordinates

44.0599, -88.5408

Aircraft

Larsen T-BIRD II

Registration

N41873

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Portage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI97LA251

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed and loss of control resulting in a stall. Factors were the tree and the fence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.