# NTSB DEN08CA093: Kitfox IV 1200, N108KX, FlyingBar Ranch, MO, May 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2008, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: FlyingBar Ranch, MO - Coordinates: 37.174999, -93.12889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1750&lon=-93.1289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68083/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a quartering tailwind and failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were the gusting tailwind and operating the airplane near maximum gross weight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05615JU), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot and non-rated passenger were departing the airfield on runway 24. After becoming airborne they encountered several wind gusts. The pilot failed to control the airplane causing the float-equipped airplane to catch one of the floats in the trees at the departure end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot was not injured, the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame forward of the cockpit. The pilot stated the airplane was being operated near maximum gross weight and that there was a quartering tailwind with gusts occurring during the takeoff. ## Factual narrative The private pilot and non-rated passenger were departing the airfield on runway 24. After becoming airborne they encountered several wind gusts which the pilot said "pushed the plane down and to the left." The float-equipped airplane caught one of the floats in the trees off the departure end of the runway and the airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot was not injured, the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame forward of the cockpit. The pilot reported that the maximum gross weight for the airplane was 1,200 pounds and the weight at the time of the accident was 1,191 pounds. The pilot stated the winds were variable at ten knots with gusts to 15 knots. At 1152 Central Daylight Time (CDT), the reported winds at Springfield, MO (KSGF), 8 miles east of the accident site, were 060 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Winds at KSGF at 1252 CDT were 090 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 21 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N108KX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N108KX), registered now, S/N 1908 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kitfox IV 1200 - Registry model: [Cox John KITFOX IV 1200](https://openairdocs.org/model/cox-john-kitfox-iv-1200) (registry code 05615JU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1908 - Engines: Rotax 912ul 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kennith Hiller - Registered owner: Lenair Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008 - Departed: M02, FlyingBar Ranch, MO - Airport: m02, Dummy, runway 24, 2,640 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: SGF ## 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 20080524838219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080524838219A), May 24, 2008: Amtr KITFOX, Rogersville, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted a downwind takeoff in gusty conditions near gross weight and contacted the trees at the departure end of the runway. 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.