# NTSB FTW96LA006: Donegan Benton Kitfox II, N20BD, Seguin, TX, October 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1995, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Seguin, TX
- Coordinates: 29.569169, -97.960578 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5692&lon=-97.9606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA006

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper braking technique.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing the tail was still up when he applied the brakes.  Although he tried to correct with full aft stick, the aircraft nosed over onto its back.

## Factual narrative

On October 4, 1995, at 1830 central daylight time, a Donegan Benton Kitfox II, N20BD, registered to, and operated by a private  owner, was substantially damaged during landing at Elm Creek  Airpark, near Seguin, Texas.  The airline transport rated  pilot-in-command was not injured.  Visual meteorological  conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title  14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The flight originated at Elm  Creek Airpark approximately one hour earlier.

In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the  pilot stated that, while landing, "the tail was still up and I  touched the brakes.  Although I tried to correct with full aft  stick, the aircraft nosed over, struck the ground, and flipped  onto its back."  Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that both wing struts were bent, the fuselage was twisted behind the cabin, and the vertical stabilizer was damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N20BD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DONEGAN BENTON KITFOX II
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 285
- Airframe hours: 260
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donegan Benton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 4, 1995, 2 hours before
- Departed: 0TX6
- Airport: 0TX6, Elm Creek Airpark, runway 14, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,060 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19951004030929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951004030929A), Oct 4, 1995: Amtrdf KITFOX, Seguin, TX, Substantial damage. Nosed over tail still up when brakes were applied.

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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