# NTSB GAA15CA210: Experimental Amat Built Kitfox III, N991RK, Jackpot, NV, July 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2015, 09:57 local (15:57 UTC) - Place: Jackpot, NV - Coordinates: 41.974723, -114.657775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9747&lon=-114.6578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Reno FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91699/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91699 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA210 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with terrain. ## 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: [Kitchen Ronald J KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618B8), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kitchen Ronald J KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05618B8), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Kitchen Ronald J KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05618B8), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Kitchen Ronald J KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05618B8), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Kitchen Ronald J KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05618B8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that his wheel landing was "smooth and straight," but when the tailwheel touched down the airplane drifted to the right. As the landing roll progressed, the airplane veered sharply to the right. He stated that he attempted to correct with rudder input, but the airplane veered off the runway to the right, ground looped, and the left wing impacted terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that his wheel landing was "smooth and straight," but when the tailwheel touched down the airplane drifted to the right. As the landing roll progressed, the airplane veered sharply to the right. He stated that he attempted to correct with rudder input, but the airplane veered off the runway to the right, ground looped, and the left wing impacted terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N991RK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N991RK), registered now, S/N 1058, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EXPERIMENTAL AMAT BUILT KITFOX III (III) - Registry model: [Kitchen Ronald J KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/kitchen-ronald-j-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05618B8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1058 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 761.5 - Engines: ROTAX 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 4, 2014 - Departed: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID - Destination: 06U, Jackpot, NV - Airport: 06U, Jackpot/Hayden Field, runway 33, 6,183 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 107 total, 21.1 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 24.1 in the last 90 days, 11.1 in the last 30 days, 3.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KTWF, 31 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91699. 456 KB in all. - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 1, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Left Wing Damage (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 388 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.