# NTSB ANC98LA129: Drake Kitfox III, N3203N, Aniak, AK, August 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 1998, 16:30 local (Aug 23, 1998, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Aniak, AK - Coordinates: 61.200359, -158.600708 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2004&lon=-158.6007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43871/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, and an inadvertent stall. Factors in the accident were the pilot/owner's improper installation and pitch setting of the propeller assembly, and a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - propeller system/accessories - improper (contributing factor) - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/pilot mechanic (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was flying cross-country in a tailwheel equipped, experimental/homebuilt airplane. The flight was proceeding in a westbound direction over remote terrain. A tailwind was blowing from the east about 20 knots throughout the flight. The pilot landed at a small airstrip near the accident site for a short rest. During the landing, he damaged a wheel strut. He made repairs to the strut, and departed the airstrip toward the west. The pilot attempted to climb the airplane over a ridgeline that was about 1,700 feet high, and about 10 miles west of the departure point. While attempting to climb over the ridgeline, the airplane stalled, and descended to the ground. The pilot, who was the builder of the airplane, said the airplane's propeller pitch was not set correctly, limiting the airplane's climb capability. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 1998, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped, experimental/homebuilt Drake Kitfox III airplane, N3203N, was destroyed during a collision with a ridgeline, about 37 miles east-southeast of Aniak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot/owner. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed by the pilot, but not activated. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1035. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 27, 1998, at 1240, the pilot reported the following: He was traveling to Tuluksak, Alaska, to begin a teaching job. The wind was blowing from the east about 20 knots, and was producing a tailwind throughout the accident flight. He landed at a small airstrip near the accident site for a short rest. During the landing, he damaged a wheel strut. He made repairs to the strut, and departed the airstrip toward the west. He attempted to climb the airplane over a ridgeline that was about 1,700 feet high, and about 10 miles west of the departure point. While attempting to climb over the ridgeline, the airplane stalled, and descended to the ground. He said the airplane's propeller pitch was not set correctly, limiting the airplane's climb capability. An Alaska State Trooper stationed in Aniak, Alaska, reported he was notified by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, of an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal that was transmitting from the accident area. The accident flight had been reported overdue by the pilot's spouse to the FAA's Regional Operations Center. The trooper responded to the area of the accident in a airplane, and spotted the wreckage. The pilot contacted the trooper airplane via radio, and reported he had sustained head and facial injuries. An Alaska National Guard helicopter responded to the scene from Bethel, Alaska, and transported the pilot to the hospital. The pilot holds a private pilot certificate with a single-engine rating. He also holds a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate for the accident airplane. The pilot was the owner/builder of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3203N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3203N-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 1145, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Drake KITFOX III - Registry model: [Thompson James KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/thompson-james-kitfox-iii) (registry code 95708BS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1145 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bradley J. Drake - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: TLT, TULUKSAK, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 77 total, 13 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19980822029239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980822029239A), Aug 22, 1998: Amtr KITFOX, Aniak, AK, Destroyed. (.4) On August 22, 1998, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped, experimental/homebuilt drake Kitfox iii airplane, N3203N, was destroyed during a… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.