# NTSB ERA12CA392: Bowles Chris Kitfox 5, N903XC, Owenton, KY, June 12, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 12, 2012, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Owenton, KY - Coordinates: 38.622776, -84.778892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6228&lon=-84.7789&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA392 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83948/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83948 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA392 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed during takeoff, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of previous experience in the airplane make and model. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bowles Chris KITFOX 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05627G5), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bowles Chris KITFOX 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627G5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bowles Chris KITFOX 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=05627G5), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bowles Chris KITFOX 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05627G5), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bowles Chris KITFOX 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05627G5), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bowles Chris KITFOX 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05627G5), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was the owner of the tail-wheel-equipped airplane, was on an instructional flight to obtain a tailwheel endorsement. The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a sudden gust of wind just after liftoff and that he overcorrected, which caused the airplane to stall and settle back onto the runway. The flight instructor reported that the pilot abruptly pulled back on the control stick when the airplane accelerated to 50 to 55 mph during the takeoff roll. The airplane climbed about 5 feet above the ground and stalled. He assumed control of the airplane; however, it departed the left side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage before it came to rest. After the accident, both pilots reported that the airplane did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported 372 hours of total flight experience, which included 12 hours in the accident airplane during the 30 days preceding the accident. He further reported that the airplane's takeoff speed should have been 65 mph. The flight instructor had no previous flight experience in the airplane make and model. If he had experience in the airplane make and model, he would have been more familiar with its flying characteristics and been able to anticipate and correct the problem earlier. ## Factual narrative The certificated private pilot owner of the tail-wheel equipped airplane was on a instructional flight with a flight instructor to obtain a tail-wheel endorsement. The private pilot reported that he experienced a sudden gust of wind just after liftoff and then over corrected, which caused the airplane to stall and settle back onto the runway. The flight instructor reported that the private pilot abruptly pulled-back on the control stick during the takeoff roll, when the airplane accelerated to 50 to 55 mph. The airplane climbed about 5 feet above the ground and stalled. He assumed control of the airplane; however, it departed the left side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage, before it came to rest. After the accident, both pilots reported that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The private pilot reported 372 hours of total flight experience, which included 12 hours in the accident airplane during the 30 days preceding the accident. He further reported that the airplane's takeoff speed should have been 65 mph. The flight instructor had no previous flight experience in the same make and model as accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N903XC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N903XC-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 10903, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOWLES CHRIS KITFOX 5 - Registry model: [Bowles Chris KITFOX 5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bowles-chris-kitfox-5) (registry code 05627G5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 10903 - Airframe hours: 191 - Engines: Franklin O-235 116 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 17, 2011 - Departed: 0KY0, Owenton, KY - Destination: 0KY0, Owenton, KY - Airport: 0KY0, Owen Air Park, runway 13, 2,300 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: minor; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 10,500 total, 0 in this make and model - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 372 total, 14 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: CVG, 26 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 20120612012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120612012649A), Jun 12, 2012: Bowles Chris KITFOX 5, Jonesville, KY, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost directional control on takeoff and departed runway 13 to the left. Aircraft ended up approximately 100 yards down an embankment facing the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83948. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (CFI) (item 1, .PDF, 461 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(CFI)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Owner) (item 2, .PDF, 749 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371850&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Owner)-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 - Airplane as it came to rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20-%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.