# NTSB GAA17CA478: King John E JR Kitfox, N993JK, Reno, NV, August 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2017, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.668056, -119.876388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6681&lon=-119.8764&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA478 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95778/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95778 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA478 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in variable wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [King John E JR KITFOX SERIES 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056118K), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [King John E JR KITFOX SERIES 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056118K), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [King John E JR KITFOX SERIES 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=056118K), [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-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [King John E JR KITFOX SERIES 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056118K), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [King John E JR KITFOX SERIES 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056118K), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [King John E JR KITFOX SERIES 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056118K), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental, amateur-built airplane, he attempted to land in shifting wind conditions. He reported that, during the landing flare on runway 8, a wind gust from the south caused the right wing to rise. He reported that he made the approach with full flaps applied and about 60 knots airspeed and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed with a left sideload. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then veered to the left and sustained substantial damage to the lower left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that he "knew the winds were swirling and should have taken another look at it or found another runway for the newer developing wind conditions." METARs at the accident airport are issued about every 20 minutes. Ten minutes before the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 080° at 6 knots. About 10 minutes after the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 140° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, he attempted to land in shifting wind conditions. He reported that during the landing flare on runway 8, a wind gust from the south caused his right wing to rise. He reported that he made the approach with full flaps applied and about 60kts airspeed, and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed with a left side load. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then veered to the left and sustained substantial damage to the lower left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that, "I knew the winds were swirling and should have taken another look at it or found another runway for the newer developing wind conditions." METARs at the accident airport are issued about 20 minutes apart. 10 minutes prior to the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 080° at 6kts. About 10 minutes after the accident the METAR indicated that the wind was from 140° at 5kts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N993JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N993JK-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N S6004-024, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KING JOHN E JR KITFOX (SERIES 6) - Registry model: [King John E JR KITFOX SERIES 6](https://openairdocs.org/model/king-john-e-jr-kitfox-series-6) (registry code 056118K) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S6004-024 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 824 - Engines: Rotax 912-ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2017 - Departed: RTS, Reno, NV - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Airport: RTS, Reno/Stead, runway 08, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 5, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 209 total, 50 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: RTS ## 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 20170808010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170808010329A), Aug 8, 2017: King John E Jr KITFOX SERIES 6, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he was practicing landings in his experimental kit fox aircraft. After touch down on runway 8, the aircraft veered to the right and the pilot… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95778. 113 KB in all. - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 1, .PDF, 1 photo, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461110&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.