# NTSB ATL95LA067: Wente Kitfox III, N803BW, Moncks Corner, SC, March 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 1995, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Moncks Corner, SC - Coordinates: 33.189811, -79.989273 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1898&lon=-79.9893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3535/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA067 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO THE WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY DURING THE BALKED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - weather condition - tailwind - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 23, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED ABRUPTLY FROM APPROXIMATELY 12-14 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED TWICE. FOLLOWING THE SECOND BOUNCE, THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY EDGE, AND THE RIGHT WINGTIP STRUCK A PLOWED FIELD THAT WAS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED. THE PILOT EXITED THE PLANE AND NOTED THAT THE WINDSOCK WAS INDICATING A 10-14 KNOT TAILWIND FOR RUNWAY 23. THE PILOT/BUILDER INDICATED THAT HE HAD NOT NOTICED THE WINDSOCK WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1994, about 1515 eastern standard time, a home built airplane, Wente Kitfox III, N803BW, collided with the ground during an attempted aborted landing at the Berkeley County Airport, Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. Origination of the flight was the Dorchestor County Airport, Summerville, South Carolina, about 1430, on the same day. According to the pilot, during landing on runway 23, about 12-14 feet above touchdown, the airplane descended abruptly, landed hard, and bounced. After the bounce, the airplane touched down about 40 degrees off runway heading. The pilot stated that full power was applied to attempt a go-around, and the airplane overran the runway edge. During the attempted go-around, the right wing tip struck a plowed field that was adjacent to the runway, and the airplane cartwheeled. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that the wind sock was indicating a 10-14 knot tailwind for runway 23. The pilot stated that he did not notice the wind sock on final approach. The pilot, who is also a certified experimental aircraft builder, stated there was no malfunction of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N803BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N803BW-2005-11-01), registration cancelled 2005-11-01, S/N 803, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WENTE KITFOX III - Registry model: [Wente Robert O KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/wente-robert-o-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05618M6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 803 - Airframe hours: 113 - Engines: BOMBARDIER 582 UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wente, Robert O. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 19, 1995, 8 hours before - Departed: 71S, SUMMERVILLE, SC - Airport: 50J, Berkely County, runway 23, 3,801 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 213 total, 69 in this make and model, 176 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CHS ## 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 19950319004369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950319004369A), Mar 19, 1995: Amtrdf KITFOX, Moncks Corner, SC, Substantial damage. Bounced landing came down off runway heading. Tried go around. Ran off runway into plowed field. Cartwheeled. 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.