# NTSB CHI02LA156: Hale Kitfox Model III, N76WH, Fairmont, MN, July 4, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2002, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Fairmont, MN - Coordinates: 43.660556, -94.415557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6606&lon=-94.4156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54950 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54950/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54950 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA156 ## Probable cause Failure by the pilot to obtain adequate clearance from the tree line, as well as a failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. A contributing factor was the tree line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - lack of certification, pilot in command - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot attempted to depart an alfalfa field adjacent to his home. After becoming airborne, he crossed a road and a railroad track adjacent to the field, and impacted a tree line running along the tracks. The pilot held a student pilot certificate without a solo endorsment. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2002, at 0930 central daylight time, an amateur-built Hale Kitfox Model III, N76WH, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it failed to clear a tree line adjacent to the departure field after takeoff. The airplane was departing from an alfalfa field eight miles north of Fairmont, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The pilot reported to a police officer on-scene that he had decided to taxi the airplane on the field adjacent to his home. The pilot noted that as he neared the road and trees, he had to pull up in an attempt to clear them. He flew over the road and railroad tracks, but failed to clear the trees. The officer's notes stated that although the pilot said he was not actually flying, a child nearby told the officer that the airplane was airborne for quite awhile. FAA records indicate the pilot was issued a student pilot/third class medical certificate on June 12, 2002. The FAA inspector on-scene noted that the pilot did not have a solo endorsement on his student pilot certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76WH), registered now, S/N 756, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hale Kitfox Model III - Registry model: [Hale William P KITFOX MODEL III](https://openairdocs.org/model/hale-william-p-kitfox-model-iii) (registry code 056032Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 756 - Engines: Rotax reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: --- ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 120 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: FRM, 8 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). - [Incident 20020704018219I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020704018219I), Jul 4, 2002: Amtr KITFOXIII, Fairmont, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Fisher stated that he was attempting high speed taxi on a bean field adjacent to his temporary residence and became airborne. Mr. Fisher stated that… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 14, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54950. 95 KB in all. - Statement From Sgt Post, Martin County Sheriff's Police, Fairmont, MN (item 1, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20From%20Sgt%20Post,%20Martin%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Police,%20Fairmont,%20MN-Master.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.