# NTSB DEN92LA079: Robert D. Waldron Kitfox III, N1060U, Fort Collins, CO, August 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1992, 18:30 local (Aug 1, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.549491, -105.060997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5495&lon=-105.0610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA079

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN DRAGGING A WING TIP DURING FLARE FOR LANDING WHICH ENDED WITH A GROUND LOOP.  A FACTOR WAS:  A TAIL WIND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND CAUGHT A WING TIP WHICH CAUSED A GROUND LOOP.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 06, AND THE WINDS WERE 220 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1060U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1060U-2011-11-04), registration cancelled 2011-11-04, S/N 1060 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT D. WALDRON KITFOX III
- Registry model: [Waldron Robert D KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/waldron-robert-d-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05618HS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1060
- Airframe hours: 98
- Engines: ROTAX 582LC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Waldron, Robert D.
- Registered owner: Waldron, Robert D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1992, 48 hours before
- Departed: FNL
- Airport: FNL, Fort Collins/Loveland, runway 6, 2,200 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 209 total, 98 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920731032079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920731032079A), Jul 31, 1992: Amtrdf KITFOX, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Landed with quartering tail wind. Lost control. Caught wing tip on ground and ground looped.

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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