# NTSB FTW03LA039: Larson Kitfox III, N5278U, Little Rock, AR, November 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 2002, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Little Rock, AR - Coordinates: 34.729442, -92.224441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7294&lon=-92.2244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an intentional taxi resulting in the inadvertent lift-off of the airplane and subsequent inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of aircraft, and the wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - taxispeed - intentional, pilot in command - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While the pilot taxied the airplane at the private grass airstrip, the homebuilt airplane inadvertently became airborne. After becoming airborne, "apparently due to a gust of wind," the airplane "appeared to be flying just above the stall speed" approximately 100-200 feet agl. Beyond the east end of the departure runway, the airplane circled left and then back toward the runway. As the airplane flew over the tree line adjacent to the runway, the "wing stalled and the airplane spun " to the ground. The 3,500 hour pilot had zero flight time in the make and model of the accident airplane. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No pre-impact discrepancies were found. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 2002, at 1630 central standard time, a Larson Kitfox III, experimental homebuilt airplane, N5278U, impacted the terrain northwest of the east runway following a loss of control during an inadvertent takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Little Rock, Arkansas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated at the time of the accident. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the operator reported that the pilot wanted to taxi the tailwheel-equipped airplane. After becoming airborne, "apparently due to a gust of wind," the airplane "appeared to be flying just above the stall speed" approximately 100-200 feet agl. Beyond the east end of the departure runway, the airplane circled left and then back toward the runway. As the airplane flew over the tree line adjacent to the runway, the "wing stalled and the airplane spun " to the ground. Witnesses called 911. Witnesses and local authorities responded to the scene. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, confirmed flight control continuity. Physical evidence of fuel was found in the area of the accident site. The outboard portion of the right wing and the cockpit was destroyed. No pre-impact discrepancies were found. The private pilot had accumulated 3,500 hours total flight time with zero flight time in the make and model of the accident airplane. An FAA experimental airworthiness certificate was issued for the airplane in 1994. On February 4, 2001, the last annual inspection was performed at an accumulate aircraft time of 83.0 hours. The airplane had flown 14.9 hours since the inspection. The airplane was powered by a 64 horsepower Rotax 582 LC engine. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the operator reported the wind from the southwest at 5-10 knots. At 1553, the local weather observation facility at Little Rock (LIT) reported the wind from 190 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clouds few at 25,000 feet, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 03 degrees Celsius, and the altimeter setting 30.22 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5278U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5278U-2003-06-16), registration cancelled 2003-06-16, S/N 796, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Larson Kitfox III - Registry model: [Larson Robert C KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/larson-robert-c-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05625QF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 796 - Airframe hours: 103 - Engines: Rotax 582 LC 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas P. Beary - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 4, 2001, 20 hours before - Departed: Little Rock, AR - Airport: Pumpkin Patch, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 6, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: LIT, 5 nm away 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.