# NTSB ERA15FA298: Mchugh Tony Kitfox Model 1, N428YT, Montrose, PA, August 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 2015, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Montrose, PA - Coordinates: 41.82389, -75.877777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8239&lon=-75.8778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15FA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91730/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91730 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA298 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. ## 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: [Mchugh Tony KITFOX MODEL 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056298Q), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Mchugh Tony KITFOX MODEL 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=056298Q), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mchugh Tony KITFOX MODEL 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056298Q), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Mchugh Tony KITFOX MODEL 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056298Q), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mchugh Tony KITFOX MODEL 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056298Q), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot/owner of the experimental amateur-built airplane was attempting to land on the 431-ft-long grass airstrip for the first time. According to a witness, before the accident, the pilot had flown three practice approaches without landing. The witness reported that, during the fourth approach, the airplane entered a steep-bank-angle turn onto final approach and then "went straight down" to ground impact. The airplane came to rest on its nose, and a fire erupted. The witness' description of the event and the impact geometry are consistent with the pilot conducting a steep turn that resulted in the wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative According to FAA records, the experimental amateur-built airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate on August 14, 2012, and registered to the pilot/owner. The airplane was a two-seat, high-wing, fabric covered monoplane equipped with fixed conventional landing gear and a Rotax 532 two-stroke engine. No airplane maintenance records were found at the time of this writing. The owner/pilot's private grass airstrip was located 3 miles northwest in Montrose, Pennsylvania. It had two runways designated as 30/12 and 07/25. The runway designated as 30/12 was 431 feet-long and 25 feet-wide. The runway designated as 07/25 was 481 feet-long and 25 feet-wide. On August 7, 2015, about 1855 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built Kitfox Model 1, N428YT, was substantially damaged when it impacted an embankment while practicing landing approaches to a private airstrip in Montrose, Pennsylvania. The airplane was privately owned and operated. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and originated around 1830 from Tri Cities Airport (CZG), Endicott, New York. According to a witness, the accident flight was the first time the pilot had performed practice landing approaches to his private airstrip. Immediately prior to the accident, the pilot performed about three practice approaches but did not land the airplane. According to another witness, during the final approach, the airplane entered a "steep angle turn" and then "went straight down." It impacted the ground and came to rest on an embankment about 15 feet short of the runway approach end. The Susquehanna County Coroner, in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, performed an autopsy on the pilot. The autopsy report indicated that the pilot died as a result of "multiple traumatic injuries." The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of the pilot. Fluid specimens from the pilot tested negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and other drugs. The 1853 recorded weather observation at Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM), Binghamton, New York, located approximately 23 nautical miles to the north of the accident location, included wind from 030 at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 23 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C; barometric altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury. According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. According to the pilot's logbook, he had accumulated 300 hours of total flight time and 90.25 hours of total time in the accident airplane make and model, of which, 20 hours were in the previous 12 months. This pilot was issued a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate on December, 2, 2013, with the limitation that he must wearcorrective lenses for near and distant vision. The airplane impacted an embankment, approximately 15 feet from the approach end of runway 30, and was oriented on a 025 degree heading. The airplane came to rest in a near nose down, vertical attitude. A post impact fire ensued, which consumed the fabric covering the fuselage, inboard section of both wings, and the empennage. All components of the airplane were located in the vicinity of the wreckage. In addition, a smell similar in odor to 100LL fuel was noted on scene in the vicinity of the wreckage. The right wing remained attached to the fuselage and was bent forward. The outboard section of the right wing was impact-separated. The left wing remained intact and attached to the fuselage by the forward attach point and the wing strut was bent aft. The aft attach point of the left wing was thermally damaged and the wing tip exhibited crush damage in the aft direction. The empennage remained attached to the fuselage and was bent to the left about one foot forward of the elevator. The rudder and elevator skin was consumed by post impact fire and the control surfaces remained attached to the empennage at all attach points. The cockpit and seats were consumed by fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight control surfaces to the controls in the cockpit. The engine remained attached to the fuselage through the four engine mounts and engine control cables. It was removed from the airframe to facilitate examination. The spark plugs were finger tight and exhibited normal wear when compared to manufacturer guidance. The propeller reduction gear box was removed and contained oil. There were two teeth that were damaged from the propeller drive gear. In addition, there were three teeth damaged on the crankshaft gear. The exhaust "y" pipe was removed to examine the sides of the pistons, which did not exhibit any vertical scoring. Crankshaft and valvetrain continuity was confirmed when the crankshaft was rotated by hand. Both carburetors were impact-separated and consumed by fire. The starter was partially melted, and starter drive gear teeth exhibited no anomalies. The fuel lines and ignition wiring were consumed by fire. The accessory gear cover was consumed by post impact fire. The gascolator bowl was impact separated and consumed by fire. The radiator was impact-separated and partially consumed by fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N428YT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N428YT-2019-01-31), registration cancelled 2019-01-31, S/N 149, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCHUGH TONY KITFOX MODEL 1 (I) - Registry model: [Mchugh Tony KITFOX MODEL 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/mchugh-tony-kitfox-model-1) (registry code 056298Q) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 532](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-532) (registry code 55579, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 149 - Year built: 2010 - Engines: Rotax 532 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CZG, ENDICOTT, NY - Destination: PVT, Montrose, PA - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 30, 431 × 25 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total, 90 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: BGM, 23 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 20150807014469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150807014469A), Aug 7, 2015: Mchugh Tony KITFOX MODEL 1, Montrose, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On first attempt to land at private airfield aircraft crashed in near vertical attitude short of runway on the side of a berm. The aircraft caught fire and was… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91730. 6.8 MB in all. - Witness Interview Summaries (item 1, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446138&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record-Engine Examination (item 3, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Engine%20Examination-Master.PDF - Map of Private Airstrip (item 4, .PDF, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Private%20Airstrip-Master.PDF - Excerpt of Pilot's Logbook (item 5, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20of%20Pilot%27s%20Logbook-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 6, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 8, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.