# NTSB CHI98LA186: Sheets Kitfox II, N487JS, Greenfield, IA, June 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 1998, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, IA - Coordinates: 41.300842, -94.450645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3008&lon=-94.4506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10903/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA186 ## Probable cause the initial climb airspeed not obtained/maintained after liftoff by the pilot in command. A factor was the improper compensation for wind conditions by the pilot in command. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was using 20-degrees of flaps for takeoff, which is not the normal takeoff configuration, because he was testing a new takeoff technique he had seen in an aviation publication. The piloted stated that the aircraft became airborne, sooner than expected, and drifted to the right of the runway centerline. While the aircraft was drifting across the runway it impacted the ground approximately 30' from the runway centerline. In a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that the accident could of been avoided if he had built up additional airspeed before liftoff and after liftoff kept the aircraft low in ground effect. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 1998, at 1830 central daylight time, a Sheets Kitfox II, N487JS, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain, following a loss of control during takeoff from runway 32 (2500' x 45', dry, asphalt) at the Greenfield Municipal Airport, near Greenfield, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The one passenger reported no injures. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot was attempting a normal takeoff at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was using 20-degrees of flaps for takeoff, which is not the normal takeoff configuration, because he was testing a new takeoff technique he had seen in an aviation publication. The piloted stated that the aircraft became airborne, sooner than expected, and drifted to the right of the runway centerline. While the aircraft was drifting across the runway it impacted the ground approximately 30' from the runway centerline. In a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that the accident could of been avoided if he had built up additional airspeed before liftoff and after liftoff kept the aircraft low in ground effect. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N487JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N487JS-2000-03-31), registration cancelled 2000-03-31, S/N 487 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sheets KITFOX II - Registry model: [Sheets James L KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/sheets-james-l-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05618GW) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 487 - Airframe hours: 187 - Engines: Rotax 532UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert D. Foster - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1997, 47 hours before - Departed: GFZ - Airport: GFZ, Greenfield Municipal, runway 32, 2,500 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 221 total, 135 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AIO, 28 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 19980602011789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980602011789A), Jun 2, 1998: Amtr KITFOXII, Greenfield, IA, Destroyed. Acft crashed on takeoff, other circumstances are unknown. Greenfield, IA. (.4)the pilot stated that he was using 20-degrees of flaps for takeoff, which is not… 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.