# NTSB DEN04CA076: Wilford J. Tolman Kitfox 6, N3079H, Montrose, CO, May 18, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 18, 2004, 16:43 local (22:43 UTC)
- Place: Montrose, CO
- Coordinates: 38.498991, -107.89932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4990&lon=-107.8993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04CA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04CA076

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff initial climb.  A contributing factor was the gusting left tailwind weather condition.

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

The pilot was departing on runway 31.  Immediately after liftoff, he said a gust of wind (200 degrees for 25 knots) struck his airplane.  The airplane fell to the ground and departed the right side of the runway.  Subsequently, the airplane rotated to the left approximately 180 degrees, causing the right main gear to be folded back and bending the empennage approximately 80 degrees to the left.

## Factual narrative

On May 18, 2002, at 1643 mountain daylight time, a Tolman Kitfox 6 home-built, N3079H, was substantially damaged following departure off the right side of runway 31, at Montrose Regional Airport, Montrose, Colorado.  The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal, cross-country flight that was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot said that he was taking off and had just become airborne.  A gust of wind struck him from the left rear (200 degrees for 25 knots), and the airplane departed the right side of the runway.   The airplane subsequently rotated approximately 180 degrees to the left, causing the right main gear to be folded back and bending the empennage approximately 80 degrees to the left.  The density altitude was calculated to be 8,344 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3079H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3079H-2005-01-28), registration cancelled 2005-01-28, S/N S60005-025, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Wilford J. Tolman Kitfox 6
- Registry model: [Tolman Wilford J KITFOX SERIES 6](https://openairdocs.org/model/tolman-wilford-j-kitfox-series-6) (registry code 05612Z7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2
- Airframe hours: 124
- Engines: Rotax 712 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith Hooker
- Departed: MTJ, Montrose, CO
- Destination: PVU, Provo, UT
- Airport: MTJ, Montrose Regional, runway 31, 7,509 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,230 total, 75 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTJ, 1 nm away

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.

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