# NTSB CEN09CA592: Bordelon Kitfox IV, N396BK, Dodge Center, MN, September 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 17, 2009, 19:00 local (Sep 18, 2009, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Dodge Center, MN
- Coordinates: 44.018054, -92.83139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0181&lon=-92.8314&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA592
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74757/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74757
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA592

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper glide path during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot performed several maneuvers in the local area during a "phase 1" flight test. The pilot returned to the departure airport where he completed two normal landings and was to perform a third landing. The pilot stated that during the third landing flare, the airplane sink rate was "too fast" and the nosewheel contacted the runway. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane was configured with full flaps. Damage to the airplane included a buckled fuselage and vertical stabilizer, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that engine power should have been applied to control the sink rate. Examination of the accident site revealed a ground scar in a field about 130 feet from the runway threshold or about 30 feet from the runway edge. The ground scar was consistent with the airplane's initial touchdown point. The pilot said that he would usually use an aim point that was about 100 feet past three yellow cones that delineated each side of the threshold.

## Factual narrative

The pilot performed several maneuvers in the local area during a "phase 1" flight test. The pilot returned to the departure airport where he completed two normal landings on runway 04 (2,340 feet by 200 feet, grass) and was to perform a third landing. The pilot stated that during the third landing flare, the airplane sink rate was "too fast" and the nose wheel contacted the runway. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane was configured with full flaps. Damage to the airplane included a buckled fuselage and vertical stabilizer. The pilot was uninjured. The pilot stated that engine power should have been applied to control the sink rate. Examination of the accident site revealed a ground scar in a field about 130 feet from the runway threshold or about 30 feet from the runway edge. The ground scar was consistent with the airplane's initial touchdown point. The pilot said that he would usually use an aim point that was about 100 feet past three yellow cones that delineated each side of the threshold.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N396BK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N396BK-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N C94100070, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bordelon Kitfox IV
- Registry model: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/bordelon-bruce-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05614I4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: C9400070
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: NSI Aero Subaru EA-180 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Pilot
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, October 22, 2008
- Departed: TOB, Dodge Center, MN
- Destination: TOB, Dodge Center, MN
- Airport: TOB, Dodge Center, runway 04, 2,340 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 11, 2009; flight hours: 633 total, 5 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: TOB

## Other investigations on N396BK (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN12CA597](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA597), Jul 31, 2012: Bordelon Bruce Kitfox IV (N396BK), Castlerock, MN, destroyed. Probable cause: Propeller system failure during a go-around maneuver resulting in a forced landing. Contributing to the severity of damage to the airplane was the postimpact fire.
- [NTSB CEN10CA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA304), Jun 7, 2010: Bordelon Kitfox IV (N396BK), Stanton, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent propeller blade pitch change and subsequent loss of forward thrust.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74757. 744 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.

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