# NTSB MIA81FLD18: Knight Twst 01, N10KT, Winter Haven, FL, December 6, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 6, 1980
- Place: Winter Haven, FL · WINTER HAVEN, FL
- Location: 28.0222° N, 81.7329° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Winter Haven, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0222&lon=-81.7329&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 21, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81FLD18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FLD18

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3320   80/12/6   WINTER HAVEN,FL     KNIGHT TWST 01      CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 2425
        TIME - 1445                    N10KT               PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  TOTAL HOURS, 2 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GILBERT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WINTER HAVEN,FL             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- NOSED DWN AFTR LIFT-OFF FRM POSSIBLE HI-SPEED TAXI TEST.BUILDER/PLT REPORTED VERY SENSITIVE PITCH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10KT-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N BS-1, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KNIGHT TWST 01
- Registry model: [Whiting-Laux KNIGHT TWISTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/whiting-laux-knight-twister) (registry code 4970203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Gilbert

## 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 19801206076429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801206076429A), Dec 6, 1980: Amtrso KNIGHTTWIST, Winter Haven, FL, Destroyed. Became airborne on high speed taxi run. Over controlled sensitive elevator. No recent experience in type.

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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