# NTSB GAA20CA040: Kitfox S7, Reno, NV, October 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2019, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 40.200832, -119.868888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2008&lon=-119.8689&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100463/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100463 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of excessive braking control during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on an uphill, 600- to 700-ft-long unimproved landing strip, he applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, tail cone, and rudder. 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 of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on an uphill, 600 to 700 ft unimproved landing strip, he applied brakes and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, tail cone, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was about 4 knots from the east. The airplane landed to the west. The pilot that he landed at this landing strip 2 days prior to the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: C-GPMT (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Kitfox S7 (STI) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ALBERT THIESSEN - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 110 - Engines: Rotax 915153A 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2019 - Departed: Reno, NV - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 745 total, 110 in this make and model, 745 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Observed at: KRTS, 32 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 24, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100463. 3.8 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=40480213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.