# NTSB GAA18CA015: Thomas G Parkhurst Kitfox IV, N37TP, Sidney, NY, October 18, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 18, 2017, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Sidney, NY - Coordinates: 42.305278, -75.408889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3053&lon=-75.4089&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96214/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96214 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA015 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following a loss of ground reference during landing in glaring sun conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. ## 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: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632K8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during final approach, the airplane was "out of alignment to the left edge of the runway." He decided to add throttle and realign with the runway, but as he reached for the throttle to add power, at that instant, he was "blinded" by sun glare, and he had "no memory of [the] events for approximately 6 seconds" after that point. He added that, just before impact, he saw the ground, but "there was nothing that could be done." The airplane impacted a parking lot in a nose-low, left-wing-down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the passenger reported that, during landing, the airplane was crabbing to the left but traveling forward. He reported that, before the runway threshold, there was a momentary sun flash that "lit up the plastic windscreen." He further reported that the pilot applied power, pulled back on the control stick, and the airplane "spiraled" and "twisted" left and downward into a parking lot. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack and then entered an aerodynamic stall/spin. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during final approach, the airplane was "out of alignment to the left edge of the runway." He decided to add throttle and realign with the runway, but as he reached for the throttle to add power, at that instant, he was "blinded" by sun glare and he had "no memory of [the] events for approximately 6 seconds" after that point. He added that, just prior to impact, he saw the ground but "there was nothing that could be done." The airplane impacted an open parking lot in a nose low, left wing down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage, empennage, and both wings. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the passenger reported that during landing the airplane was crabbing to the left, but traveling forward. He reported that prior to the runway threshold, there was a momentary sun flash that "lit up the plastic windscreen." He further reported that, the pilot applied power, pulled back on the control stick, and the airplane "spiraled" and "twisted" left and downward into a parking lot. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37TP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37TP), registered now, S/N ASC-199 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS G PARKHURST KITFOX IV (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-g-parkhurst-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05632K8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ASC-199 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 81 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 2, 2017 - Departed: N23, SIDNEY, NY - Destination: N23, Sidney, NY - Airport: N23, Sidney Muni, runway 25, 4,201 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; sport pilot, recreational, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 8, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 394 total, 90 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KBGM, 25 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 20171018014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171018014879A), Oct 18, 2017: Thomas G Parkhurst KITFOX IV, Sidney, NY, Substantial damage. On final approach for runway 25, pilot noticed that he was left of center. Attempted to correct but sun setting on the horizon temporarily blinded him. When he… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96214. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Passenger) (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Passenger)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 173 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459541&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.