# NTSB CHI02LA003: Kainz Kitfox IV, N1195F, Tomahawk, WI, October 9, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 2001, 12:11 local (17:11 UTC) - Place: Tomahawk, WI - Coordinates: 45.470836, -89.719635 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4708&lon=-89.7196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA003 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall/spin encountered by the pilot during a slow flight maneuver. Factors relating to this accident were the low airspeed and the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said while he was at 3,000 feet and conducting a slow flight maneuver, the airplane's right wing dropped suddenly and the airplane entered a spin. The pilot said he tried to recover but couldn't stop the right turning spin. The pilot said that about 2 1/2 spins from the tree tops, he pulled back on the stick. The airplane's nose came up and slowed just prior to the impact with the trees. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 2001, at 1211 central daylight time, a Kainz Kitfox IV, N1195F, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it departed controlled flight and impacted trees and the ground near Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane both sustained serious injuries in the accident. The local flight originated off of Lake Mohawksin, near Tomahawk, Wisconsin, at 1135. A witness stated he saw the airplane spiral straight down into the trees. In his written statement, the pilot said while he was at 3,000 feet and conducting a slow flight maneuver, the airplane's right wing dropped suddenly and the airplane entered a spin. The pilot said he tried to recover but couldn't stop the right turning spin. The pilot said that about 2 1/2 spins from the tree tops, he pulled back on the stick. The airplane's nose came up and slowed just prior to the impact with the trees. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was resting on its nose among pine trees along the edge of a lake. Several broken pine tree boughs rested on the ground near the airplane. The airplane's engine, engine cowling, engine mounts, firewall, and forward fuselage were crushed aft. Both wings were crushed aft along the leading edges and showed several tears in the fabric skin. The airplane's right flap and aileron were broken off and found suspended in the trees. The floats were bent upward and aft. The aft fuselage showed skin wrinkles. The left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent aft. One of the three propeller blades was broken off near the hub. Another blade showed leading edge nicks and chordwise scratches. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1195F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1195F-2018-02-27), registration cancelled 2018-02-27, S/N 1653 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kainz Kitfox IV - Registry model: [Kainz Christopher A KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/kainz-christopher-a-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05604TK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1653 - Airframe hours: 342 - Engines: Rotax 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Christopher A. Kainz - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 2001, 108 hours before - Departed: Tomahawk, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 397 total, 340 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RRL, 17 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 20011009030539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011009030539A), Oct 9, 2001: Amtr KITFOXIV, Tomahawk, WI, No damage. (-23) While conducting slow flight at 3,000 MSL, the aircraft stalled, entered a spin which continued until impact. (.19) on October 9, 2001, at 1211 central… 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.