# NTSB ATL95LA120: Pierce Kitfox  III, N101GP, Arlington, TN, June 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1995, 19:45 local (Jun 28, 1995, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TN
- Coordinates: 35.27983, -89.659553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2798&lon=-89.6596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA120

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE ROTATION ON TAKEOFF THAT RESULTED IN LOW AIRSPEED AND AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT, KITFOX III COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER DEPARTURE FROM A PRIVATE STRIP NEAR ARLINGTON, TENNESSEE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PREOCCUPIED WITH OBSTACLES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND ROTATED PRIOR TO REACHING BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB SPEED.  AFTER LIFT OFF, HE MADE A LEFT TURN TO AVOID HITTING POWER LINES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On June 27, 1995, at 1945 central standard time, a Pierce Kitfox III, N101GP, collided with the ground on departure from a private airstrip near Arlington, Tennessee. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The two occupants on board the experimental airplane were not injured.

According to the pilot, he was preoccupied during takeoff with the power lines and trees at the end of the runway. He stated that he rotated before accelerating to the best angle of climb speed (Vx), 50 knots. After lift off, he realized that he was below Vx, and made a left turn to avoid hitting the obstacles at the end of the runway.  He then attempted to regain airspeed by lowering the nose, but had insufficient altitude. The aircraft collided with the ground in a left wing down, nose down attitude. The pilot stated that his preoccupation with the power lines caused him to neglect airspeed control which resulted in stalling the aircraft on departure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101GP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101GP-1996-01-24), registration cancelled 1996-01-24, S/N 1092 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIERCE KITFOX  III (KITFOX  II)
- Registry model: [Pierce Gilbert H KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/pierce-gilbert-h-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05620BN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1092
- Airframe hours: 193
- Engines: ROTAX 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilbert H. Pierce
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1995, 52 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: 48M, COLLIEVILLE, TN
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 1,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 193 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 20 nm away

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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