# NTSB CEN18LA150: Wolfe Kitfox V, N818TW, Kalkaska, MI, April 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 27, 2018, 14:16 local (18:16 UTC) - Place: Kalkaska, MI - Coordinates: 44.674446, -85.235832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6744&lon=-85.2358&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Grand Rapids FSDO, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 97123 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97123/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control that resulted in a stall/spin following climb from the departure airport. ## 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: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05624IE), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05624IE), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=05624IE), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05624IE), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05624IE), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05624IE), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05624IE), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The personal flight in an experimental amateur-built airplane was underway when witnesses observed the airplane in a spin and without engine power. The airplane impacted the ground about 4 miles south of the departure airport. The airplane wreckage exhibited features consistent with a counterclockwise spin. Although witnesses reported they did not hear engine noise, postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity and found no mechanical anomalies with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot purchased the airplane kit in 1999 and subsequently built the airplane. An airworthiness certificate for the airplane was issued in 2007, and it was registered to the pilot. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors IOF-240-B engine. A two-bladed wooden propeller was attached to the engine. The airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system and was not required to be so equipped due to its classification as an experimental amateur-built airplane. On April 27, 2018, at 1416 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Wolfe Kitfox V, N818TW, impacted terrain about 4 miles south of Kalkaska City Airport, Kalkaska, Michigan. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was destined for Mackinac Island Airport, Mackinac Island, Michigan. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, witnesses reported seeing the airplane in a counterclockwise upright spin beginning about 1,000 ft above ground level. The airplane then impacted the ground in a flat attitude. Ground scarring indicated counterclockwise rotation of the airplane. According to the Kalkaska Sheriff's Office Incident Report, fuel was leaking from both airplane wings. The report included accounts from witnesses who stated that the airplane "was not under power" and was "spinning belly down." An autopsy of the pilot that was conducted by the Kalkaska County Medical Examiner, Kalkaska, Michigan, found that his cause of death was "multiple blunt force injuries." Toxicology testing performed at the FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified tadalafil in the pilot's blood and liver specimens. Testing for cyanide was not performed, and no ethanol was detected in the pilot's vitreous specimens. The private pilot held a private pilot certificate as well as repairman experimental aircraft builder and repairman light sport aircraft (inspection) certificates. The pilot held a third-class medical certificate dated August 24, 2016, with the restriction that the pilot must wear corrective lenses. At that time, he reported 659 hours of total flight experience, of which 23 hours were in the previous 6 months. A pilot logbook entry stated the pilot's private pilot certificate was issued on October 8, 1995. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity from the control surfaces to the cockpit controls. A fuel sample taken from the left fuel tank did not exhibit contamination and was consistent with 100 low-lead fuel. The airplane fuel tanks had usable fuel. The magnetos and the fuel selector valve were in the ON position. The engine was partially attached to the airframe. One propeller blade had broken off near the tip, and the otherpropeller blade had broken off near the blade root. The remaining propeller was attached to the crankshaft hub. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the spark plugs exhibited features of normal operation. Borescope examination of the engine cylinders revealed no anomalies. The engine was rotated through by hand, and engine drive and valve train continuity was confirmed. During the engine rotation, air was expelled and drawn in through the spark plug holes. The fuel metering unit exhibited no anomalies that would have precluded operation. A compact flash memory card was removed from the instrument panel flight display; however, no data were recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N818TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N818TW-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N V9908-072, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WOLFE Kitfox V - Registry model: [Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V](https://openairdocs.org/model/wolfe-thomas-m-kitfox-v) (registry code 05624IE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IOF-240-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-iof-240-b) (registry code 17168, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V9908-072 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 402.4 - Engines: Continental XIOF-240-B 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 7, 2017 - Departed: Y89, Kalkaska, MI - Destination: MCD, Mackinac, MI - Airport: Y89, Kalkaska City Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 21, 2017; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 659 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: ACB, 15 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 20180427000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180427000269A), Apr 27, 2018: Wolfe Thomas M KITFOX V, Kalkaska, MI, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. On April 27, 2018 at approximately 14:16 eastern daylight time(EDT), a Kitfox V experimental aircraft, N818TW, registered to and operated by a private pilot,… 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.