# NTSB CEN09CA528: Morse, Frank L. Kitfox, N39FM, Crawford, CO, August 16, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2009, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Crawford, CO - Coordinates: 38.70111, -107.623886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7011&lon=-107.6239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74534 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA528 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74534/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74534 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA528 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued flight into a severe downdraft at low altitude after encountering tailwind over the area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Morse Frank L KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05612SW), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Morse Frank L KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=05612SW), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Morse Frank L KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05612SW), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Morse Frank L KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05612SW), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting aerial observation of his pipeline head gate to check for debris. He overflew the area at 150 feet above ground level (agl) and "observed a light tailwind and no downdraft." He performed a left 360 degree turn and flew over the area a second time between 50 and 60 feet agl. The airplane encountered a "severe downdraft" and settled into terrain. The right wing spar was broken in the impact, as was the right main landing gear and nosewheel. The propeller was destroyed. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot was conducting aerial observation of his pipeline head gate to check for debris. The pilot overflew the area at 150 feet above ground level (agl) and "observed a light tailwind and no downdraft." The pilot performed a left 360 degree turn and flew over the area a second time between 50 and 60 feet agl. The airplane encountered a "severe downdraft" and settled into terrain. The right wing spar was broken in the impact, as was the right main landing gear and nosewheel. The propeller was destroyed. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39FM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39FM-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 76, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MORSE, FRANK L. KITFOX - Registry model: [Morse Frank L KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/morse-frank-l-kitfox) (registry code 05612SW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 76 - Airframe hours: 304 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 8, 2008 - Departed: 99V, Crawford, CO - Destination: 99V, Crawford, CO - Airport: 99V, Crawford ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 27, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,776 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,380 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 16 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MTJ, 17 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 20090816015829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090816015829A), Aug 16, 2009: Morsef KITFOX, Crawford, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Flying over gently sloping hillside. Decided to check water line for air park during flight; made pass over water line head gate (150') to check winds,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74534. 611 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 611 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.