# NTSB GAA15CA087: Smith Vilas Kitfox, N4100T, McLeansboro, IL, May 22, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2015, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: McLeansboro, IL - Coordinates: 38.074165, -88.537498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0742&lon=-88.5375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain attitude control during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of training and experience in this airplane make and model. ## 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: [Smith Vilas KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056184C), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Vilas KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=056184C), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Vilas KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=056184C), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith Vilas KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056184C), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the three point landing roll he failed to hold the stick all the way back, applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed down. The pilot stated the, "forward momentum caused him to apply the brakes harder." He further stated this was his first flight in this airplane make and model, and that he had not received any training in the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the three point landing roll he failed to hold the stick all the way back, applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed down. The pilot stated the, "forward momentum caused him to apply the brakes harder." He further stated this was his first flight in this airplane make and model, and that he had not received any training in the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4100T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4100T-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 720, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH VILAS KITFOX (II) - Registry model: [Smith Vilas KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-vilas-kitfox) (registry code 056184C) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 720 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 402.8 - Engines: Bombardier/Rotax 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gary R. Nalley - Registered owner: Gary R. Nalley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2014 - Departed: McLeansboro, IL - Destination: McLeansboro, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 24, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 125.9 total, 0.2 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: 3LL8, 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 20150522006679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150522006679A), May 22, 2015: Smith Vilas KITFOX, Mcleansboro, IL, Substantial damage. The pilot of an experimental aircraft, "Kitfox", made a landing on his privately owned field. During rollout, he applied excessive braking causing the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91235. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record GAA15CA087 (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20GAA15CA087%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photograph 1 – View of Substantial Damage to vertical stabilizer and rudder (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Substantial%20Damage%20to%20vertical%20stabilizer%20and%20rudder%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.