# NTSB FTW96LA372: Hardie KIT FOX XL, N42JH, Monticello, AR, August 30, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1996, 19:00 local (Aug 30, 1996, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, AR
- Coordinates: 33.620399, -91.790611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6204&lon=-91.7906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA372
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA372

## Probable cause

the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.  A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he was flying 'low' looking at a crop duster strip.  When he advanced the throttle to climb, the airplane's engine 'stopped producing power.'  The pilot reported that because of low altitude and the distance from the duster strip, he elected to land the airplane in a rice field.  Upon impact with the ground, the 'landing gear collapsed and the plane cart-wheeled' before coming to rest approximately 20 yards from the approach end of the duster strip.

## Factual narrative

On August 29, 1996, at 1900 central daylight time, a Hardie Kit Fox XL, N42JH, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Monticello, Arkansas.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The airplane was registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated from Monticello Municipal Airport approximately 15 minutes before the accident.  A flight plan was not filed.

According to the pilot, he was flying "low" looking at a crop duster strip.  When he advanced the throttle to climb, the airplane's engine "stopped producing power."  The pilot reported that because of low altitude and the distance from the duster strip, he elected to land the airplane in a rice field.  Upon impact with the ground, the "landing gear collapsed and the plane cart-wheeled" before coming to rest approximately 20 yards from the approach end of the duster strip.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42JH-2012-08-29), registration cancelled 2012-08-29, S/N JCX014, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hardie KIT FOX XL
- Registry model: [Hardie James D KIT FOX XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/hardie-james-d-kit-fox-xl) (registry code 05624Z8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JCX014
- Airframe hours: 144
- Engines: Rotax 503-UL-DCDI 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael S. Dale
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1995, 78 hours before
- Departed: M76

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 198 total, 69 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## Other investigations on N42JH (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR10CA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA178), Mar 24, 2010: Hardie James D KIT FOX XL (N42JH), Willows, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper flare, resulting in a bounced landing and ground loop.

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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