# NTSB DEN99LA044: Parsons Kitfox II, N740GP, Colorado Spgs, CO, February 28, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1999, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spgs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.849121, -104.719917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8491&lon=-104.7199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA044

## Probable cause

The airplane's encounter with a dust devil during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway

## Analysis

The pilot was landing on runway 15, and the right wing encountered a dust devil.  He said that the right wing was picked up, and the airplane was rotated approximately 180 degrees.  The airplane came to rest between the runway and taxiway.  The left wing spar was bent and the left main landing gear was broken off.

## Factual narrative

On February 28, 1999, approximately 1230 mountain standard time, a Parsons Kitfox II, N740GP, was substantially damaged following an encounter with unforecasted weather during landing at Meadow Lake Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane was being operated by the owner/builder under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which originated 2 hours, 15 minutes before the accident.  No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, he landed on runway 15.  He stated that a dust devil picked up the right wing and rotated the airplane 180 degrees.  The airplane came to rest between the runway and taxiway.  The left wing spar was bent and the left main landing gear was broken off.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N740GP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N740GP), registered now, S/N 496, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Parsons KITFOX II
- Registry model: [Parsons Glen KITFOX MODEL II](https://openairdocs.org/model/parsons-glen-kitfox-model-ii) (registry code 05606O8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 496
- Airframe hours: 20
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glen Parsons
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1998, 20 hours before
- Departed: 00V
- Airport: 00V, Meadow Lake Airport, runway 15, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 376 total, 11 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS, 10 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 19990228047279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990228047279A), Feb 28, 1999: Amtr KITFOXII, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot was landing on runway 15, and the right wing encountered a dust devil. He said that the right wing was picked up, and the airplane was rotated…

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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