# NTSB GAA17CA424: Salerno Kenneth G JR Kitfox Series 7, N702KF, Owyhee, OR, July 18, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2017, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Owyhee, OR - Coordinates: 43.42472, -117.345558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4247&lon=-117.3456&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA424 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95622/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95622 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA424 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a rough, dirt airstrip. ## 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: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056127O), [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: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056127O), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=056127O), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=056127O), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056127O), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056127O), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056127O), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056127O), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll on a rough, dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered a "hump" and bounced prematurely. He added that, when the airplane touched back down, one of the tires hit a "rut," and the airplane veered left toward a tall sage brush. He further added that he "didn't correct direction properly" and attempted to rotate the airplane "early" to clear the sage brush, but the airplane's main landing gear impacted the sage brush, which resulted in a nose-over. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll on a rough, dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered a "hump" and bounced into the air prematurely. He added that, when the airplane touched back down, one of the tires hit a "rut" and the airplane veered left toward a tall sage brush. He further added that he "didn't correct direction properly" and attempted to rotate the airplane "early" to clear the sage brush, but the airplane's main landing gear impacted the sage brush, which resulted -in a nose over. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N702KF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N702KF), registered now, S/N S60102-049, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SALERNO KENNETH G JR KITFOX SERIES 7 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Salerno Kenneth G JR KITFOX SERIES 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/salerno-kenneth-g-jr-kitfox-series-7) (registry code 056127O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S60102-049 - Year built: 2002 - Engines: ROTAX 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2016 - Departed: 28U, Owyhee, OR - Destination: EUL, CALDWELL, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 28U, Owyhee Reservoir State, runway 13, 1,840 × 30 ft, dirt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 8, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 1,315 total, 325 in this make and model, 1,245 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KEUL, 34 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 20170718010749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170718010749A), Jul 18, 2017: Salerno Kenneth G Jr KITFOX SERIES 7, Owyhee Reservoi, OR, Substantial damage. Brief description of circumstances surrounding occurrence taken from block 5 of the 8020-9: Aircraft crashed while attempting to depart 28U. Pilot over… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95622. 950 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.