# NTSB CEN10CA304: Bordelon Kitfox IV, N396BK, Stanton, MN, June 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2010, 10:05 local (15:05 UTC) - Place: Stanton, MN - Coordinates: 44.475555, -93.016387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4756&lon=-93.0164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76231 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76231/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76231 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA304 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent propeller blade pitch change and subsequent loss of forward thrust. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Propeller system: propeller controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120/cases.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Bordelon Bruce KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=05614I4), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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 accident occurred during the first flight since the experimental amateur-built airplane had been repaired from a previous accident. The pilot stated that after departure he performed two landings without incident. On the third landing attempt, the in-flight electrically adjustable propeller went into a low/flat pitch while the airplane was on an extended final approach. The pilot stated that the airplane lost forward thrust as result of the flat propeller blade pitch and that he landed short of the turf runway. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted; the fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. He stated that the flat propeller pitch may have been inadvertently set during flight when he mistakenly depressed the propeller pitch selector instead of the intended push-to-talk button. Both buttons were collocated on the control stick. ## Factual narrative The accident occurred during the first flight since the experimental amateur-built airplane had been repaired from a previous accident. The pilot stated that after departure he performed two landings without incident. On the third landing attempt, the in-flight electrically adjustable propeller went into a low/flat pitch while the airplane was on an extended final approach. The pilot stated that the airplane lost forward thrust as result of the flat propeller blade pitch and that he landed short of the turf runway. The airplane subsequently nosed-over and came to rest inverted. The fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. He stated that the flat propeller pitch may have been inadvertently set during flight when he mistakenly depressed the propeller pitch selector instead of the intended push-to-talk button. Both buttons were collocated on the control stick. ## 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: 23 - Engines: Subaru E-81 105 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 9, 2010 - Departed: KSYN, Stanton, MN - Destination: KSYN, Stanton, MN - Airport: KSYN, Stanton Airfield, runway 09, 1,970 × 180 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 43 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KSYN ## 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 20100607036229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100607036229A), Jun 7, 2010: Skystar KITFOX IV, Stanton, MN, Substantial damage. The owner/pilot repaired the aircraft from a previous accident. The first flight after the repairs were made the owner departed from his private home airport… ## 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 CEN09CA592](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA592), Sep 18, 2009: Bordelon Kitfox IV (N396BK), Dodge Center, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper glide path during landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76231. 825 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 779 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335416&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335417&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-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. --- 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.