# NTSB LAX95LA324: Welles Kitfox Speedster, N912JW, San Luis Obispo, CA, September 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1995, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 37.440036, -122.149978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4400&lon=-122.1500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA324

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 300 FEET INTO THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL ON RUNWAY 29 WHEN HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED IN THE DIRT, DAMAGING A WING.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1995, at 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Welles Kitfox Speedster homebuilt airplane, N912JW, ground looped following a loss of directional control on takeoff at San Luis Obispo, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions.  No flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a local area personal flight.

According to the pilot's written statement, the aircraft was about 300 feet into the takeoff ground roll on runway 29 when he lost directional control.  The aircraft veered left off the runway and ground looped in the dirt, damaging a wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N912JW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N912JW), registered now, S/N BCS 104, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WELLES KITFOX SPEEDSTER (KITFOX SPE)
- Registry model: [Welles Jeffrey B KITFOX SPEEDSTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/welles-jeffrey-b-kitfox-speedster) (registry code 05626Z3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BCS104
- Airframe hours: 33
- Engines: ROTAX 912 82 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey B. Welles
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1995, 33 hours before
- Departed: SBP
- Airport: SBP, San Luis Obsipo, runway 29, 4,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 210 total, 1 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBP

## 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 19950904027789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950904027789A), Sep 4, 1995: Amtrdf KITFOX, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Veered off runway. Ground looped.

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.

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