# NTSB LAX08CA022: Bagnall Harold E Kitfox Lite 2, N46361, N. Bonneville, WA, October 30, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 29, 2007, 17:15 local (Oct 30, 2007, 00:15 UTC) - Place: N. Bonneville, WA - Coordinates: 45.585, -122.138611111111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5850&lon=-122.1386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA022 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude that resulted in a stall-mush condition and collision with the water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot approached an island and spotted a suitable location on the sand to practice emergency landings. He was about 10 feet above the sand when he started his climb to the west. Approaching the end of the island he saw a boat to the southwest, and there was a reflection of the sun on the water restricting his visibility. About 75 feet above ground level, the pilot maneuvered to the right to avoid flying too close to the boat. The pilot felt an indication of a stall and lowered the nose of the airplane. The airplane impacted the Columbia River, shattering the windshield and opening both doors. The airplane sank immediately; the crew egressed and swam ashore. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 2007, about 1715 Pacific standard time, an experimental Bagnall Kitfox Lite 2, N46361, impacted the Columbia River 8 nautical miles southwest of North Bonneville, Washington. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The sport pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight departed Sandy River Airport, Sandy, Oregon, about 1640. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 45 degrees 35 minutes north latitude and 122 degrees 08 minutes west longitude. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, that when he approached Skamania Island, he spotted a suitable location on the sand to practice emergency landings. He was about 10 feet above the sand when he started his climb to the west. Approaching the end of the island he saw a boat to the southwest. The pilot further stated there was a reflection of the sun on the water restricting his visibility. About 75 feet above ground level, the pilot maneuvered to the right to avoid flying too close to the boat. The pilot felt an indication of a stall and lowered the nose of the airplane. The airplane impacted the Columbia River, which shattered the windshield and popped open both doors. The airplane sank immediately; the crew egressed and swam ashore. On October 29, 2007 the airplane was recovered from 30 feet of water. The airplane suffered bent wing spars, destroyed engine cowling, and water damage to the entire airplane. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46361](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46361), registered now, S/N 2L 0010-004, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bagnall Harold E Kitfox Lite 2 - Registry model: [Bagnall Harold E KITFOX LITE 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bagnall-harold-e-kitfox-lite-2) (registry code 05619MC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2L 0010-004 - Airframe hours: 246 - Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas Nelsen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007 - Departed: 03S, Sandy, OR - Destination: 03S - Airport: 03S, Sandy River Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 217 total, 183 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: TTD 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.