# NTSB BFO95LA099: Deangelo Kitfox Speedster, N122DP, Youngstown, OH, September 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1995, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Youngstown, OH
- Location: 40.9618° N, 80.6773° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at YOUNGSTOWN ELSER METRO (4G4), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9618&lon=-80.6773&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA099

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.  A related factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft while carrying a passenger.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had just '...completed my 40 hours of solo time...' and was making his first flight with a passenger when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that he '...began the take off roll [and] the plane started to go slightly left.  I apparently over controlled [the airplane and] the plane ground looped.... '  The pilot stated that his unfamiliarity with the 'possible quirks' of the airplane, and the additional weight in the airplane may have been factors in this accident.

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 1995, at 1730 eastern daylight time, a DeAngelo Kitfox Speedster, N122DP, piloted by the owner/operator, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of runway 28 during the takeoff roll at Youngstown Elser Metro Airport, in Youngstown, Ohio. The pilot and one passenger, the sole occupants, reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed.  The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that, on the morning of the flight he had just completed his "...40 hours of solo time..." and he was taking his first passenger for a ride.  The pilot reported that, "...as I began the takeoff roll the plane started to go slightly left."  The pilot remarked that, he "...apparently over controlled [and] the plane ground looped... ."  The pilot stated that the winds were calm, and that the "...entire 'flight' took approximately 5 to 10 seconds."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N122DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N122DP), registered now, S/N FBS024, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEANGELO KITFOX SPEEDSTER (KITFOX SPE)
- Registry model: [Deangelo Dante A KITFOX SPEEDSTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/deangelo-dante-a-kitfox-speedster) (registry code 05626A4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul) (registry code 55592, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: FBS-024
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: ROTAX 912 UL 78 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Deangelo, Dante A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 4G4
- Airport: 4G4, Youngstown Elser Metro, runway 28, 3,703 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,083 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19950928030839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950928030839A), Sep 28, 1995: Amtrdf KITFOX, Youngstown, OH, Substantial damage. First flight with a passenger. Swerved on takeoff roll. Over corrected and ground looped. (-23) the pilot stated: that he had completed the 40 hrs of solo…

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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