# NTSB CEN24LA363: Kitfox IV 1200 Spdst, N16KR, Cleburne, TX, September 21, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 20, 2024, 19:30 local (Sep 21, 2024, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Cleburne, TX - Coordinates: 32.358265, -97.301927 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3583&lon=-97.3019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA363 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195161/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195161 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA363 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## 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: [Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05624RR), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05624RR), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05624RR), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05624RR), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05624RR), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05624RR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that as he initiated the round out for landing, the airspeed rapidly decreased. He executed a go-around by increasing power and pitching the airplane to climb out. After about two seconds the right wing dipped, and the airplane stalled. The airplane impacted terrain which resulted substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright on a fence. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16KR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16KR-2025-03-07), registration cancelled 2025-03-07, S/N LBS084, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kitfox IV 1200 SPDST - Registry model: [Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST](https://openairdocs.org/model/rudder-dwight-k-kitfox-iv-1200-spdst) (registry code 05624RR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LBS084 - Year built: 1994 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: TX67, Cleburne, TX - Destination: TX67, Cleburne, TX - Airport: TX67, Hodges Air Field, runway 16, 1,750 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,200 total, 90 in this make and model, 8,700 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KFWS, 12 nm away - METAR: METAR KFWS 202349Z 16007KT 10SM CLR 34/18 A2984= ## 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 20240920020849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240920020849A), Sep 20, 2024: Rudder Dwight K KITFOX IV 1200 SPDST, Cleburne, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot performed a low level pass over the runway and lost lift, landing on a nearby fence. Pilot suffered significant injury. Passenger suffered minor injury. ## Other investigations on N16KR (1) 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 ERA17LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA314), Sep 5, 2017: Rudder Dwight K Kitfox IV 1200 Spdst (N16KR), Raymond, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195161. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17972785&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%20CEN24LA363_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 412 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17973733&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA363-Rel.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.