# NTSB ATL98LA044: Charles Holmes Kitfox XL, N9272V, Homestead, FL, February 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 1998, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Homestead, FL - Coordinates: 25.489562, -80.510742 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4896&lon=-80.5107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3970 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3970/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA044 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper touchdown flare during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - overload - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While on final approach to land, the student pilot realized that he was too high for a normal touchdown. The student pilot initiated a slip maneuver to lose altitude. He reported that the airplane was not completely aligned with the runway during the slip maneuver. According to an eyewitness at the airstrip, the airplane touched down hard on the runway. After the touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the runway and collided with a tree. Subsequent to the accident, the student pilot was given additional flight training in conventional landing gear aircraft. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 1998, at 1200 eastern standard time, a Charles Holmes Kitfox XL, N9272V, collided with the ground, according to a witness, while attempting a landing at the Burrs Strawberry Farm Airstrip in Homestead, Florida. The student pilot reported that the local personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. The student pilot had not filed a flight plan. According to the data from the nearest weather reporting facility, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The student pilot stated that he was not injured during the accident sequence. The airplane, reportedly, sustained substantial airframe damage. The student pilot reported that the flight departed Homestead General Aviation Airport in Homestead, Florida, at 1140. According to the student pilot, while on final approach to land, he realized that he was too high for a normal touchdown. The student pilot initiated a slip maneuver to lose altitude. He also reported that the airplane was not completely aligned with the runway during the slip maneuver. According to an eyewitness at the Burrs Strawberry Farm Airstrip, the airplane touched down hard on the runway. After the touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the runway and collided with a tree. No mechanical problems, with the airplane, were reported by the pilot. Subsequent to the accident, the student pilot was given additional flight training in conventional landing gear aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9272V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9272V-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N JCX013, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Charles Holmes KITFOX XL - Registry model: [Holmes Charles B SR KITFOX XL CLASSIC IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/holmes-charles-b-sr-kitfox-xl-classic-iv) (registry code 0563025) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JCX013 - Airframe hours: 116 - Engines: Great Plains 2100 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Andrew C. Corsetti - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997 - Departed: X51 - Airport: NONE, Burrs Strawberry Farm, runway 36, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 29 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HST, 180 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 19980214001279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980214001279A), Feb 14, 1998: Amtrdf KITFOX, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Narrative: pilot lost control of aircraft hard landing and hit tree. Pilot has received remedial tail dragger training since incident. Incident not maintenance… 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.