# NTSB ANC92LA036: Richard C. Ballow Kitfox 1, N5154U, Valdez, AK, February 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1992, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Valdez, AK
- Coordinates: 61.150604, -146.809051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1506&lon=-146.8091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5690/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRPLANE'S BRAKES.  FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ICY RUNWAY CONDITION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE ON A PATCH OF ICE CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE ICY AREA AND ONTO A DRY PART OF THE RUNWAY, THE WHEELS REMAINED LOCKED CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER.  THE CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS MENTIONED IN NOTAM DELTA #02/026.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5154U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5154U), registered now, S/N 21 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RICHARD C. BALLOW KITFOX 1
- Registry model: [Ballow Richard C KITFOX 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/ballow-richard-c-kitfox-1) (registry code 05612UB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 21
- Airframe hours: 89
- Engines: ROTAX 532UL 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jones, William Marshall
- Registered owner: Jones, William Marshall
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 3 hours before
- Airport: VDZ, Valdez, runway 24, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 51 total, 4 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VDZ, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920212004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920212004739A), Feb 12, 1992: Amtrdf KITFOX, Valdez, AK, Substantial damage. Locked up brakes on ice patch on landing. As wheel hit dry spot homebuilt nosed over.

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.

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