# NTSB GAA19CA023: Skystar Kitfox SER 5 Safari, N14GX, Monte Vista, CO, October 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 13, 2018, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Monte Vista, CO - Coordinates: 37.531387, -106.044166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5314&lon=-106.0442&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98490 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98490/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98490 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. ## 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: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0560503), [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: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0560503), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0560503), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0560503), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0560503), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0560503), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0560503), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0560503), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis A pilot-rated witness at the airport reported that, during the airplane’s approach, it appeared to be low and fast. The airplane landed hard, bounced about 4 to 5 ft, and then touched back down on the runway. The witness added that it appeared that the pilot tried to increase power to recover, but while the airplane was about 2 ft off the ground, it turned left. The wings then leveled shortly before the airplane aerodynamically stalled and then nosed over into brush. The pilot reported that, while "taxiing," he "over sped" the airplane, and the left main landing gear impacted a berm. Subsequently, the airplane veered left and bounced, the right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane then ground looped and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and windscreen. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station about 10 miles from the accident site reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 14 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 16. ## Factual narrative A pilot rated witness at the accident airport reported that, the wind was 5 mph from the southeast when he observed the accident airplane land. He added that, during the approach, the airplane appeared to be low and fast. The airplane landed hard, bounced about 4 to 5 ft in the air and touched back down on the runway. He added that it appeared that the pilot tried to give the airplane power to recover, but while the airplane was about 2 ft off the ground it was turning to the left. The wings then leveled for a short time before the airplane aerodynamically stalled and nosed over into brush. The pilot reported that while "taxiing", he "over sped" the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and the left main landing gear impacted a berm. Subsequently, the airplane veered left, bounced, the right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane then ground looped and came to rest nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and windscreen. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14GX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14GX-2020-11-16), registration cancelled 2020-11-16, S/N S9801-0143, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Skystar KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI (SERIES 5) - Registry model: [Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI](https://openairdocs.org/model/gardner-collin-l-kitfox-ser-5-safari) (registry code 0560503) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-240 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-240-series) (registry code 17063, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S9801-0143 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Continental IO-240 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2018 - Departed: MVI, Monte Vista, CO - Destination: MVI, Monte Vista, CO - Airport: MVI, Monte Vista Muni, runway 16, 2,300 × 30 ft, dirt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 14 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KALS, 10 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 20181013019899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181013019899A), Oct 13, 2018: Gardner Collin L KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI, Monte Vista, CO, Substantial damage. The accident pilot stated he lost control while taxiing. A witness said the accident pilot carried too much speed into the flare, bounced and drifted off the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98490. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 895 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Report (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Report-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470642&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.