# NTSB CEN13CA449: Dean David E Kitfox Classic 4, N84SD, Grinnell, IA, July 27, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2013, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Grinnell, IA - Coordinates: 41.740459, -92.72097 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7405&lon=-92.7210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 87629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA449 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87629/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87629 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA449 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while landing with a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dean David E KITFOX CLASSIC 4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056294W), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dean David E KITFOX CLASSIC 4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056294W), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Dean David E KITFOX CLASSIC 4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056294W), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing on runway 31, the flight encountered a crosswind from the right. Subsequently the airplane ground looped and nosed over. The fuselage and firewall were wrinkled. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative During the landing on runway 31 (5,200 feet by 75 feet, concrete), the flight encountered a crosswind from the right. Subsequently the airplane ground looped and nosed over. The fuselage and firewall were wrinkled. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84SD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84SD), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEAN DAVID E KITFOX CLASSIC 4 - Registry model: [Dean David E KITFOX CLASSIC 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/dean-david-e-kitfox-classic-4) (registry code 056294W) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 56 - Engines: Rotec 2800 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 12, 2012 - Departed: KGGI, Grinnell, IA - Destination: KGGI, Grinnell, IA - Airport: KGGI, Grinnell Regional Airport, runway 31, 5,200 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 9, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 625 total, 45 in this make and model, 625 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KGGI ## 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 20130727014639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130727014639A), Jul 27, 2013: Dean David E KITFOX CLASSIC 4, Grinnell, IA, Substantial damage. The airman was landing at his home airport after a local area flight. After touchdown in the roll-out the aircraft ground looped and then turned over on its… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87629. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398075&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.