# NTSB CHI97LA158: Kohles Kitfox III, N515JK, Meadow Grove, NE, June 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1997, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Meadow Grove, NE - Coordinates: 42.019737, -97.729545 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0197&lon=-97.7295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10588 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10588/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA158 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience in the make and model of airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aborted takeoff - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis During an FAA Private Pilot Proficiency Check, the pilot was to complete three touch & go's for an FAA examiner, who was observing from the ground. This was the pilot's first flight in the airplane, since he ground looped it on 6/4/97. The pilot reported that on the initial takeoff roll, 'the tail didn't appear to come up with the stick forward. I tried to abort the take off but couldn't get the throttle pulled back. While struggling with the throttle I lost control.' The airplane veered to the left, exited the prepared runway surface, and came to rest in an adjacent field. After the accident, the pilot stated that he didn't know how to use the vernier type throttle properly. ## Factual narrative On June 4, at 1730 central daylight time, a KitFox III, N515JK, exited the prepared runway surface, following a loss of directional control during a takeoff roll near Meadow Grove, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing in visual meteorological conditions for the local planed flight. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was completing a FAA Private Pilot Proficiency Check when the incident occurred. The proficiency check was a result of the pilot having a previous incident in the same KitFox earlier in the year. It was the first time the pilot had attempted to fly the airplane since the last incident. Being observed by an FAA inspector on the ground, the pilot was instructed to complete three touch & go's. The pilot reported that on the initial takeoff roll, "the tail didn't appear to come up with the stick forward. I tried to abort the take off but couldn't get the throttle pulled back. While struggling with the throttle I lost control." The airplane veered to the left, exited the prepared runway surface, coming to rest in an adjacent field. Subsequently, after the accident, the pilot stated that he didn't know how to use the vernier type throttle properly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N515JK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N515JK), registered now, S/N 1082, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kohles KITFOX III - Registry model: [Kohles Jerry D KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/kohles-jerry-d-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05603AP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1082 - Airframe hours: 6 - Engines: Rotax 912-3792756 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry Dale Kohles - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1996, 6 hours before - Departed: RLA - Airport: RLA, Lowell Hale, runway 17, 2,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 15 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OFK, 9 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 19970604047499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970604047499A), Jun 4, 1997: Amtr KITFOXIII, Meadowgrove, NE, Substantial damage. (-16) Observed flight was part of reexamination. Airman had prior incident with this aircraft. He previously demonstrated competency in tricycle gear aircraft.… 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.