# NTSB GAA17CA517: Jeff Jardine Kitfox S7 Supersport, N682PS, Kanab, UT, September 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2017, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Kanab, UT - Coordinates: 37.010555, -112.531387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0106&lon=-112.5314&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 November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA517 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95943/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95943 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA517 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the airplane’s subsequent failure to attain a climb rate during an attempted go-around in high-density altitude 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: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05632S0), [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: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05632S0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05632S0), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05632S0), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/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: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05632S0), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05632S0), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05632S0), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632S0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after a local flight, during touchdown, the airplane veered to the left, and he applied full power to go around. He added that the airplane became airborne, drifted to the left over brush, and then started to sink because the airplane "did not have enough airspeed to maintain flight." Subsequently, the airplane settled into the brush about 50 ft left of the runway. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane spun 180° to a stop. The left wing and aileron 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 23 nautical miles southwest of the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 320° at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots, temperature 100°F (38°C), dewpoint 41°F (5°C), and barometric setting of 30.15 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 8,352 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration density altitude Koch Chart, the airplane would likely have experienced a 72% decrease in the normal climb rate. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a local flight, during touchdown, the airplane veered to the left, and he applied full power to go around. He added that, the airplane became airborne, drifted to the left over brush, and then started to sink because the airplane "did not have enough airspeed to maintain flight." Subsequently, the airplane settled into the brush about 50 ft. left of the runway, where the left wing struck the ground and the airplane spun 180° to a stop. The left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report that there were any 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, 23 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 320° at 12 knots, gusting 15 knots, temperature 100° F (38° C), dewpoint 41° F (5° C), and barometric setting of 30.15" Hg. The calculated density altitude was 8,352 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration density altitude Koch Chart, the airplane would had likely experienced a 72% decrease to the normal climb rate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N682PS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N682PS), registered now, S/N KA12244242, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JEFF JARDINE KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Jeff Jardine KITFOX S7 SUPERSPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/jeff-jardine-kitfox-s7-supersport) (registry code 05632S0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: KA12244242 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 122 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2017 - Departed: KNB, KANAB, UT - Destination: KNB, KANAB, UT - Airport: KNB, Kanab Muni, runway 01, 6,200 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 27, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 658 total, 128 in this make and model, 565 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KAZC, 23 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 20170904024739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170904024739A), Sep 4, 2017: Kitfox S7 SUPERSPORT, Kanab, UT, Substantial damage. Came in to land with a slight amount of crab during touchdown. Aircraft went to left end of runway quickly. Added power and lifted off, aircraft drifted left… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95943. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Koch Chart Information (item 2, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Koch%20Chart%20Information-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.