# NTSB DEN90LA083: Peterson KIT FOX Model 1, N87BS, Highwood, MT, April 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1990, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Highwood, MT
- Coordinates: 47.580101, -110.779205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5801&lon=-110.7792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA083

## Probable cause

A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A STALL/MUSH.

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE AIRPLANE ROLLED LEFT AND THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO ROLL THE WINGS LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87BS), registered now, S/N 1, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PETERSON KIT FOX MODEL 1 (KIT FOX MO)
- Registry model: [Peterson G R II KITFOX MODEL 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/peterson-g-r-ii-kitfox-model-1) (registry code 05612KN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: ROTAX 532UL 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George R. Peterson II
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: Peterson Ranch, runway 17, 2,040 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 664 total, 63 in this make and model, 567 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900402007489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900402007489A), Apr 2, 1990: Amtrdf KITFOX, Highwood, MT, Substantial damage. Practice short field takeoff. At liftoff, uncommanded roll to left. Crashed as left wing contacted ground.

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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