# Accident 19970222001789A: Amtr KITFOX532, Billings, MT, February 22, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 22, 1997, 16:10 local time
- Place: Billings, MT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: In Traffic Pattern-Circling
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.8709° N, 108.4697° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8709&lon=-108.4697&mi=10
- Aircraft: N87TJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87TJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hall Kenneth J KITFOX 532 (registry code 05612XQ, https://openairdocs.org/model/hall-kenneth-j-kitfox-532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Jabiru 2200 (registry code 34800, https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-2200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR KITFOX532
- Reported engine: ROTAX ROTAX583
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 287 total, 175 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA97LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA062) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970222001789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4)THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD 'MONITORED THE WEATHER AT BILLINGS' (LOCATED 5 NM SOUTH OF THE CRASH SITE). WINDS AT BILLINGS NEAR THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AS OUT OF THE NORTHEAST AT 13 KNOTS. THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF TO THE EAST HE MADE A SLIGHT LEFT TURN AND THEN AN 'EASY RIGHT TURN AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL.' THE ALTITUDE OF 100-150 FEET WAS CONFIRMED BY A WITNESS. DURING THE CROSSWIND/DOWNWIND TURN THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE TERRAIN.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA97LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA062), Feb 22, 1997: Hall Kitfox (N87TJ), Billings, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain flying airspeed while executing a downwind turn at low altitude immediately following takeoff.

## Other reports on N87TJ (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20190830011579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190830011579A), Aug 30, 2019: Hall Kenneth J KITFOX 532 (N87TJ), Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. On August 30, 2019, at approximately 0837 hours local, an experimental amateur built kenneth j Hall Kitfox model 532 aircraft departed the right side of runway…
- [Accident 19950822047039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950822047039A), Aug 22, 1995: Amtrdf KITFOX (N87TJ), Pompeys Pillar, MT, Substantial damage. Unable to lift from wheat stubble strip. Aborted late. Ran off end into ditch. Flipped over. Near gross weight.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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