# NTSB ERA15CA080: Bauer Thomas G Kitfox III, N573TB, Bumpass, VA, December 20, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 20, 2014, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Bumpass, VA
- Coordinates: 37.959926, -77.729675 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9599&lon=-77.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90529/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90529
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA080

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during a water landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bauer Thomas G KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627EG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bauer Thomas G KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05627EG), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Bauer Thomas G KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05627EG), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot he and his passenger departed from a lake marina on a local flight to conduct water take offs and landings. The flight was uneventful, but during the landing approach, the pilot reported that he misjudged the flare height due to the lack of visual reference on the water surface. He flared the airplane high and subsequently landed hard. Post-accident investigation revealed that the left forward float strut attachment point and lower left frame tube was sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot he and his passenger departed from a lake marina on a local flight to conduct water take offs and landings. The flight was uneventful, but during the landing approach, the pilot reported that he misjudged the flare height due to the lack of visual reference on the water surface. He flared the airplane high and subsequently landed hard. Post-accident investigation revealed that the left forward float strut attachment point and lower left frame tube was sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N573TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N573TB), registered now, S/N 1016, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BAUER THOMAS G KITFOX III
- Registry model: [Bauer Thomas G KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bauer-thomas-g-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05627EG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul) (registry code 55592, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1016
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 248.5
- Engines: ROTAX 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick Driscoll
- Registered owner: Patrick Driscoll
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 28, 2014, 60 hours before
- Departed: Lake Anna, VA
- Destination: Lake Anna, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,479 total, 55 in this make and model, 5,125 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8.8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: LKU, 10 nm away

## Other investigations on N573TB (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 CEN26LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA268), Jul 27, 2026: Kitfox III (N573TB), Ephraim, WI, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90529. 4.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428943&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Lower Strut and Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 628 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Lower%20Strut%20and%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Right Side of Rear Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 639 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Side%20of%20Rear%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Internal Frame Rear Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 319 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428946&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Internal%20Frame%20Rear%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Bent Lower Left Inner Frame Tube (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 563 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428947&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Bent%20Lower%20Left%20Inner%20Frame%20Tube%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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