# NTSB GAA18CA056: Buehlmann Peter Kitfox Model 4 1200, N234PB, Overgaard, AZ, November 23, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 23, 2017, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Overgaard, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.399444, -110.529441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3994&lon=-110.5294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96373/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96373
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA056

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## 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: [Buehlmann Peter KITFOX MODEL 4-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056077A), [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: [Buehlmann Peter KITFOX MODEL 4-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056077A), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Buehlmann Peter KITFOX MODEL 4-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056077A), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Buehlmann Peter KITFOX MODEL 4-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056077A), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Buehlmann Peter KITFOX MODEL 4-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056077A), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the right. He overcorrected, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway and ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel equipped airplane veered to the right. He over corrected, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N234PB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234PB), registered now, S/N ICU096, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BUEHLMANN PETER KITFOX MODEL 4 1200 (IV)
- Registry model: [Buehlmann Peter KITFOX MODEL 4-1200](https://openairdocs.org/model/buehlmann-peter-kitfox-model-4-1200) (registry code 056077A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: ICU096
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 900
- Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, October 17, 2017
- Departed: AZ90, LAVEEN, AZ
- Destination: AZ82, Overgaard, AZ
- Airport: AZ82, Mogollon Airpark, runway 21, 3,420 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review November 18, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,767 total, 930 in this make and model, 1,566 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observed at: KSOW, 27 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 20171123024679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171123024679A), Nov 23, 2017: Buehlmann Peter KITFOX MODEL 4-1200, Overgaard, AZ, Substantial damage. Airman stated that the aircraft was performing normally however after initial touch down on landing roll out, the aircraft moved to the right side of the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96373. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 925 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 290 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.

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