# NTSB GAA17CA444: Mcintosh Donald W Kitfox Series 7, N302DM, Priest River, ID, July 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2017, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Priest River, ID - Coordinates: 48.149723, -116.852775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1497&lon=-116.8528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95681 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA444 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95681/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95681 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA444 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral/bank control during the landing in variable gusting wind conditions. ## 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: [Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056260F), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=056260F), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056260F), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=056260F), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056260F), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056260F), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water landing, "immediately upon touchdown, the tail came up to the right and the plane veered left." He added that he applied "hard left aileron," but the right wing tip impacted the water, and the airplane spun to a stop. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station 14 nautical miles northeast from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 170° at 6 knots. The pilot reported the wind was variable at 5 knots, gusting to 11 knots. He added that the landing direction was to the southeast. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water landing, "immediately upon touchdown, the tail came up to the right and the plane veered left." He added that he applied "hard left aileron," but the right wing tip impacted the water and the airplane spun to a stop. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, about the time of the accident, 14 nautical miles northeast from the accident site, reported wind from 170° at 6 knots. The pilot reported the wind was variable at 5 knots, gusting to 11 knots. He added that the landing direction was to the southeast. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N302DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N302DM), registered now, S/N S70407064, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCINTOSH DONALD W KITFOX SERIES 7 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcintosh-donald-w-kitfox-series-7) (registry code 056260F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S70407064 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 678 - Engines: JABIRU 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 14, 2017 - Departed: SZT, SANDPOINT, ID - Destination: SZT, SANDPOINT, ID - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 22, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 929 total, 678 in this make and model, 819 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KSZT, 14 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 20170727024549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170727024549A), Jul 27, 2017: Mcintosh Donald W KITFOX SERIES 7, Pend Oreille Ri, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot stated:appeared to be landing into wind , using a normal stabilized approach, aircraft touched down, and the tail and left wing rose abruptly causing the… ## 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=95681. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.