# NTSB GAA18CA125: Baker Victor R Kitfox, N377KJ, Carson City, NV, February 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2018, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Carson City, NV - Coordinates: 39.192222, -119.732498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1922&lon=-119.7325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96731/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96731 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA125 ## Probable cause The pilot-receiving-instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## 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: [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: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped experimental amateur-built airplane, reported that he was providing aircraft transition training and tailwheel training to the pilot. The pilot taxied to the runway and successfully completed three high-speed takeoff rolls. He then taxied into position for a normal takeoff, and the pilot requested that the flight instructor stay on the controls during the takeoff. The instructor reported that during takeoff with the pilot-receiving-instruction on the controls, as the airplane started to climb, the airplane drifted to the right and settled back to the ground. The instructor applied left rudder and attempted to continue the takeoff, but the right main landing gear collided with a drainage culvert. The airplane spun to the right and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage fuselage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped experimental amateur-built airplane, reported that he was providing aircraft transition training and tailwheel training to the pilot. The pilot taxied to the runway, and successfully completed three high speed takeoff rolls. He then taxied into position for a normal takeoff and the pilot requested that the flight instructor stay on the controls during the takeoff. The instructor reported that during takeoff with the pilot-receiving-instruction on the controls, as the airplane started to climb, the airplane drifted to the right, and settled back to the ground. The instructor applied left rudder and attempted to continue the takeoff, but the right main landing gear collided with a drainage culvert. The airplane spun to the right and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage fuselage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N377KJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BAKER VICTOR R KITFOX (7) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S70308036 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 283 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 24, 2017 - Departed: CXP, Carson City, NV - Destination: CXP, Carson City, NV - Airport: CXP, Carson, runway 27, 6,101 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 77; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,320 total, 100 in this make and model, 15,150 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 537 total, 2 in this make and model, 451 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KCXP, 1 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 20180209002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180209002199A), Feb 9, 2018: Baker Victor R KITFOX SERIES 7, Carson City, NV, Substantial damage. The aircraft [privacy data omitted] reported that he had just purchased the aircraft and was receiving tail wheel instruction from CFI [privacy data omitted]… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96731. 7.6 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=40464129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 PI (item 2, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20PI-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.