# NTSB CHI94LA270: Miller Kitfox, N4268Y, Spencer, IN, July 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1994, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Spencer, IN - Coordinates: 39.279701, -86.76004 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2797&lon=-86.7600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9629/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA270 ## Probable cause the private pilot/airplane builder's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstacles during the approach to landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command - object - tree(s) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE 76-YEAR-OLD PILOT/AIRPLANE BUILDER REPORTED HE WAS TOO LOW ON FINAL APPROACH FOR HIS GRASS AIRSTRIP, AND MADE 'INSUFFICIENT CORRECTION.' THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND IN AN AREA OF SMALL TREES. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE HAD A BLIND SPOT DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE NOSE IN THE APPROACH CONFIGURATION. HE DID NOT SEE THE TREE IN TIME TO AVOID IT. THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD RECENTLY REMOVED SEVERAL TREES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE OBSTACLES ALONG THE APPROACH PATH TO THE 2,000 FOOT LONG GRASS STRIP. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1994, at 1710 central daylight time, a Miller Kitfox, N4268Y, piloted by the registered owner/builder, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees while on final approach to the pilot's grass airstrip (Timber Trails Airport) in Spencer, Indiana. The 76 year-old private pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Spencer, Indiana, approximately 1700. The pilot reported he realized he was too low during the landing approach to Runway 36. He stated he "...added power to correct, [then] reduced power, suddenly observed tree and collided...insufficient correction." The right wing tip struck the tree and the airplane descended to the ground in an area of small trees. The pilot stated the airplane came to rest in the trees "...suspended, nose 45 degrees down, right wing 45 degrees down..." about 3 feet off the ground. He exited the airplane through the left door, "...climbed down landing gear, walked away." The pilot stated he had accumulated 475 hours total flight time since his first flight in 1947. He reported 33 hours in the accident make and model airplane, including 10 hours in the preceding 90 days. The pilot indicated the homebuilt airplane had a "blind area [at the one o'clock to two o'clock position] in approach condition due to aircraft nose." He stated he had recently removed several trees in an attempt to reduce the obstacles along the approach path for the 2,000 foot long grass runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4268Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4268Y-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 142, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MILLER KITFOX - Registry model: [Miller Richard B MILLER KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-richard-b-miller-kitfox) (registry code 05618T3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 142 - Airframe hours: 33 - Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Miller, Richard B. - Registered owner: Miller, Richard B. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 29, 1994, 13 hours before - Airport: II25, Timber Trails, runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 475 total, 33 in this make and model, 475 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19940729020699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940729020699A), Jul 29, 1994: Amtrdf KITFOX, Spencer, IN, Substantial damage. Too low on final. Corrected too little and too late. Struck a tree and crashed. 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.