# NTSB FTW94LA135: Savage Kitfox, N446GS, Longmont, CO, April 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1994, 11:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Longmont, CO
- Coordinates: 40.1692, -105.209739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1692&lon=-105.2097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA135

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND FULL LEFT RUDDER INPUT HAD NO EFFECT. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, CROSSED AN IRRIGATION DITCH, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Factual narrative

On April 23, 1994, approximately 1135 mountain daylight time, a Kitfox, N446GS, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway during takeoff roll and nosed over at Longmont, Colorado.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The accident was witnessed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector.  The pilot told the inspector he raised the aircraft's tail to lift off and lost directional control.  The inspector said the winds were light and variable.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the right and full left rudder input did not have any effect.  The airplane departed the runway, crossed an irrigation ditch, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N446GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N446GS-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 446, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SAVAGE KITFOX
- Registry model: [Savage Gerald M KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/savage-gerald-m-kitfox) (registry code 05618B6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 446
- Airframe hours: 18
- Engines: ROTAX LC532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Savage, Gerald M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1994, 1 hours before
- Airport: 2V2, Vance Brand Municipal, runway 11, 5,130 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 10 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 15 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 19940423009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940423009129A), Apr 23, 1994: Amtrdf KITFOX, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on takeoff roll. Collapsed gear in ditch.

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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