# NTSB ERA24LA316: Sheaffer Leroy B Kitfox Model IV, N788KF, Palmyra, PA, July 19, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 19, 2024, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Palmyra, PA · Corn Field - Coordinates: 40.28746, -76.57701 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2875&lon=-76.5770&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194742/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194742 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA316 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel airplane during takeoff from a narrow runway with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## 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: [Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056289R), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056289R), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056289R), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056289R), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during takeoff from a 40-ft-wide runway and just as he lifted the tailwheel off the ground, the airplane immediately turned left and departed the runway. The airplane bounced hard and fractured the right main landing gear, coming to rest upright in a corn field. There was a right crosswind at the time of departure and the right wing lifted as soon as the tailwheel left the ground. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, flight control continuity was established to all flight controls and no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified. The right main landing gear was fractured off and the brake line was severed. Both wheels spun freely and the brakes were not seized up. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2024, about 1430 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Kitfox Model IV, N788KF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Palmyra, Pennsylvania. The pilot incurred minor injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was taking off from runway 31, a 40-ft-wide asphalt runway. He reported that just as he lifted the tailwheel off the ground the airplane immediately turned hard left and departed the side of the runway. The airplane bounced hard and fractured the right main landing gear before coming to rest upright in a corn field. The pilot stated that there was a right crosswind at the time of departure, and the passenger had commented that the right wing lifted as soon as the tailwheel came off the ground. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and left wing. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls. The right main landing gear was fractured off the strut and the brake line was severed. The left main landing gear was intact. Both wheels spun freely, and the brakes were not seized up. The inspector reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N788KF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N788KF), registered now, S/N LBS087, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SHEAFFER LEROY B KITFOX MODEL IV - Registry model: [Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/sheaffer-leroy-b-kitfox-model-iv) (registry code 056289R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LBS087 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 202 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2024 - Airport: 58N, Reigle Fld, runway 31, 1,955 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 545 total, 98 in this make and model, 545 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 80; injuries: fatal; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: MUI, 9 nm away - METAR: KMUI 191855Z 26007KT 10SM SCT060 SCT250 29/10 A3011 RMK AO2A SLP196 T02880100 ## 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 20240719011429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240719011429A), Jul 19, 2024: Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV, Palmyra, PA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The aircraft accelerated for takeoff. It veered off the left side of the runway, skidding into a cornfield where it came to rest. The passenger died on July… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 29, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194742. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17520756&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17521113&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17521103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo for record - FAA examination (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17520438&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-FAA%20examination-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� autopsy results (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18166364&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MEMORANDUM%20FOR%20RECORD-Rel.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.