# Accident 20250928017209A: Mccaa Robert T AVID/KITFOX FLYER, Johnstown, PA, September 28, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 28, 2025, 15:40 local time
- Place: Johnstown, PA
- Airport: John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3227° N, 78.8413° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3227&lon=-78.8413&mi=10
- Aircraft: N533SE, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N533SE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mccaa Robert T AVID/KITFOX FLYER (registry code 05634LA, https://openairdocs.org/model/mccaa-robert-t-avid-kitfox-flyer) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 582DCDI (registry code 55562, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCCAA ROBERT T AVID/KITFOX FLYER
- Reported engine: ROTAX 582DCDI
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 268 total, 2 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA25LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA379) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250928017209A

## Narrative

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

THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THIS AIRCRAFT AFTER PURCHASE AND TRAINING WAS BEING PROVIDED FOR A TAILWHEEL ENDORSEMENT. THE TOWER REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED RUNWAY 33 AT A SLOW SPEED, THE WINGS STARTED TO ROCK AND THE AIRCRAFT DECENDED. UPON LANDING THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE GROUND. BOTH PILOTS STATED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE NO MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE. A THUMB COMPRESSION TEST WAS PERMORMED AND FOUND TO BE NORMAL. FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED. THE THROTTLE CONTUNUITY WAS ESTABLISHED. THE SPARK PLUGS APPEARED NORMAL.  THERE WAS A MINIMUM OF 6 GALLONS OF 100LL PER WING. THE ROTARY VALVE OIL IN THE OIL TANK APPEARED TO BE CREAM COLORED. ACCORDING TO ROTAX SERVICE INSTRUCTION SI-03-1996, "RANDOM FIELD REPORTS HAVE INDICATED POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF THE ROTARY VALVE SHAFT OIL BY ENGINE COOLANT AND/OR EXCESSIVE ROTARY VALVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSED BY LEAKAGE ACROSS THE ROTARY VALVE SHAFT SEALS". CONTAMINATION OF THE ROTARY VALVE OIL BY ENGINE COOLANT CAN LEAD TO REDUCED BEARING AND GEAR LUBRICATION AND POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE

CROSS SHAFT. BOTH PILOTS HOWEVER, STATED THAT THE ENGINE APPEARED TO RUN NORMALLY. THERE WERE DIFFERENT EMPTY WEIGHTS FOUND IN THE MAINTENANCE RECORD VERSUS THE FLIGTH MANUAL.

## 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 ERA25LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA379), Sep 28, 2025: Mccaa Robert T Avid/Kitfox Flyer (N533SE), Oakland, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/owner’s failure to accurately determine the airplane’s weight and performance limitations before initiating the takeoff. Contributing to the outcome was the flight instructor’s improper…

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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