# NTSB GAA18CA301: Eldridge George Skystar Kitfox SER 7, N103GE, Weippe, ID, May 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2018, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Weippe, ID - Coordinates: 46.345832, -115.887779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3458&lon=-115.8878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97337 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97337/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97337 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA301 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach altitude, which resulted in a collision with a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05614JE), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the approach, the airplane "caught a sudden down draft," and the tailwheel struck the top of a 5-ft-tall fence. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 20 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 3 knots. The pilot reported that the sky condition was clear, visibility unlimited, temperature 45°F, and wind was from 270° between 8 and 10 knots. The pilot landed to the west. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during approach, the airplane "caught a sudden down draft", and the tailwheel struck the top of a 5 ft. fence. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 20 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 3 knots. The pilot reported that the sky condition was clear, visibility unlimited, temperature 45°F, wind was from 270° at 8 to 10 knots. The pilot landed to the west. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N103GE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N103GE), registered now, S/N 60111-066, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ELDRIDGE GEORGE SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/eldridge-george-skystar-kitfox-ser-7) (registry code 05614JE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S60111-066 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 580 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 24, 2017 - Departed: Weippe, ID - Destination: Weippe, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: runway West, 1,300 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Onboard weather, Heads up display, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 22, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,920 total, 206 in this make and model, 1,920 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 3 knots - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KP69, 20 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 20180527006019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180527006019A), May 27, 2018: Eldridge George SKYSTAR KITFOX SER 7, Weippe, ID, Substantial damage. Tail wheel caught boundary fence on approach to landing on pilot's home Airstrip. Aircraft landed and came to rest inverted. Damage was substantial. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97337. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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.