# NTSB CEN11CA165: Culver Glenn Kitfox III, N947RG, Terlingua, TX, January 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 25, 2011, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Terlingua, TX - Coordinates: 29.327673, -103.59838 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3277&lon=-103.5984&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 78246 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78246/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78246 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA165 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control on takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on a dirt strip in his single-engine experimental light sport aircraft when he decided to make a full-stop landing and taxi back for another takeoff. While on the takeoff roll at a high rate of speed, and before the tail was raised, the nose of the airplane veered to the left and the pilot used the right rudder pedal to maintain directional control but accidentally hit the toe brake. As a result, the airplane turned about 110 degrees to the right and collided with the ground and scrub brush before it came up on its nose. The wooden propeller was shattered and a portion of the airframe and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was practicing touch and go landings on a dirt strip in his single-engine experimental light sport aircraft when he decided to make a full stop landing and taxi back for another take off. While on the take off roll at a high rate of speed, and before the tail was raised, the nose of the airplane veered to the left and the pilot used the right rudder pedal to maintain directional control but accidentally hit the toe brake. As a result, the airplane turned about 110 degrees to the right and the airplane collided with the ground and scrub brush with both wing tips before it came up on its nose. The wooden propeller was shattered and a portion of the airframe and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: N947RG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CULVER GLENN KITFOX III - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 789 - Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX (ALL) reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles Pickett - Registered owner: Charles Pickett - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: 3TE8, Terlingua, TX - Destination: 3TE8, TERLINGUA, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 3TE8, C Fulcher Ranch, runway 13 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; flight hours: 3,000 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20110125000579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110125000579A), Jan 25, 2011: Culver Glen KITFOX III, Terlingua, TX, Substantial damage. On January 25, 2011, at approximately 1215CST, N947RG, a home built glenn Culver Kitfox III, was substantially damaged during a takeoff roll at a private… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78246. 456 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 456 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342715&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.