# NTSB DFW06CA003: Harms KitFox Series 5, N40120, La Porte, TX, October 5, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2005, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: La Porte, TX - Coordinates: 29.670833, -95.064163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6708&lon=-95.0642&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 62613 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62613/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA003 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed on takeoff, which resulted in two hard landings and subsequent loss of control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled - landing gear,wheel - separation - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The private pilot had recently built the tailwheel-equipped experimental airplane and had accrued approximately 20 hours (all flight instruction) in the airplane. A commercial pilot accompanied the pilot on the flight. During takeoff from Runway 12 (4,165-foot long by 75-foot wide asphalt runway), the airplane became airborne briefly and then settled back on to the runway, followed by a couple of hard bounces. Following the second bounce, the left main landing gear wheel separated and the airplane ground-looped. The airplane then rolled to the right, exited the runway, and nosed over. The pilot reported a total of 70 flight hours, but had not flown since 1951. A review of FAA records revealed that the commercial rated pilot held a flight instructor rating; however, it had expired in 2004. Examination of the airplane revealed no pre-mishap discrepancies. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 100 degrees at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40120](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40120-2009-09-23), registration cancelled 2009-09-23, S/N S9909-0215, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Harms KitFox Series 5 - Registry model: [Harms Robert M KIT FOX SERIES 5](https://openairdocs.org/model/harms-robert-m-kit-fox-series-5) (registry code 05614CU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S9909-0215 - Airframe hours: 20 - Engines: Subaru 2.2 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Harms - Registered owner: Robert Harms - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: T41, La Porte, TX - Destination: T41, La Porte, TX - Airport: T41, La Porte Municipal Airport, runway 12, 4,165 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 20 in this make and model - Flight instructor; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: EFD, 6 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 20051005026369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051005026369A), Oct 5, 2005: Amtr KITFOXSERIE5, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 5, 2005 at approximately 1250 local time, the pilot [privacy data omitted] with [privacy data omitted] as flight instructor were taking off on… ## Other investigations on N40120 (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN08LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA098), Jun 2, 2008: Harms Robert M KIT FOX SE (N40120), La Porte, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and uncontrolled descent. 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.