# NTSB CEN10CA022: Gottelt Herbert R Kitfox IV/, N94HG, Crystal Falls, MI, October 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 17, 2009, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Crystal Falls, MI - Coordinates: 46.009166, -88.273887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0092&lon=-88.2739&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74924 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74924/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74924 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA022 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain control due to an undetermined problem affecting lateral control of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Gottelt Herbert R KITFOX IV/SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05624PH), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333); cases with it: [Gottelt Herbert R KITFOX IV/SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05624PH), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Gottelt Herbert R KITFOX IV/SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05624PH), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Gottelt Herbert R KITFOX IV/SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05624PH), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Gottelt Herbert R KITFOX IV/SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05624PH), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that immediately after liftoff he was unable to move the control stick to the left of the center (neutral) position, although he was able to move the control stick to the right, forward, and aft without restriction. The pilot returned for landing; however, “at about 30 [feet] altitude the aircraft began to stall.” The airplane subsequently landed hard, separating the main landing gear. Both wings and the fuselage structure were substantially damaged during the event. The pilot stated that the accident occurred during the third flight of the day. A postaccident inspection was unable to confirm a restriction at the control stick. Continuity between the cockpit controls and the flight control surfaces was confirmed. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that immediately after liftoff he was unable to move the control stick to the left of the center (neutral) position, although he was able to move the control stick to the right, forward, and aft without restriction. The pilot returned for landing; however, “at about 30 [feet] altitude the aircraft began to stall.” The airplane subsequently landed hard, separating the main landing gear. Both wings and the fuselage structure were substantially damaged during the event. The pilot stated that the accident occurred during the third flight of the day. A postaccident inspection was unable to confirm a restriction at the control stick. Continuity between the cockpit controls and the flight control surfaces was confirmed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94HG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94HG-2011-09-08), registration cancelled 2011-09-08, S/N GBS039, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GOTTELT HERBERT R KITFOX IV/ - Registry model: [Gottelt Herbert R KITFOX IV/SPEEDSTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/gottelt-herbert-r-kitfox-iv-speedster) (registry code 05624PH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: GBS039 - Airframe hours: 406.9 - Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX (ALL) reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 15, 2009 - Departed: 50D, Crystal Falls, MI - Destination: 50D, Crystal Falls, MI - Airport: 50D, Iron County, runway 02, 2,700 × 145 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 2,580 total, 407 in this make and model, 2,407 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: IMT, 13 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 20091017025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091017025959A), Oct 17, 2009: Gottelt Her KITFOX IV/S, Crystal Falls, MI, Substantial damage. The pilot took off from Crystal Falls (50D) on runway 30 for a short local flight. This was the third flight of the day. The pilot stated that just after… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74924. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321082&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.