# NTSB MIA89LA217: Smith Kitfox II, N302RS, Malabar, FL, August 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1989, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Malabar, FL
- Coordinates: 27.979467, -80.580932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9795&lon=-80.5809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA217

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - wing - incorrect
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF ON THE ACFT'S 1ST FLT, IT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, STALLED & CRASHED ABOUT 100 YDS FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT WAS RPRTD TO HAVE SAID THAT 'THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT DOWNWARD ELEVATOR TRAVEL AND THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WAS PAST THE NEGATIVE LIMITS.'  THE ACFT DESIGNER RPRTD THAT THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE WING TWIST WAS FOUND TO BE 1.88 DEG PER 13.5 FT VERSUS THE SPECIFIED WING TWIST OF 3.65 DEG. THE DOWNWARD DEFLECTION OF THE ELEVATOR WAS MEASURED TO BE 28.2 DEGREES VERSUS THE DESIGNED 25 DEGREES. THE C.G. WAS RPRTD TO BE WITHIN LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N302RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302RS-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N 302 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH KITFOX II
- Registry model: [Smith Richard KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-richard-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05616PT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 302
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Smith, Richard
- Airport: X59, Valkaria, runway 4, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: VRB, 20 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 19890812032109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890812032109A), Aug 12, 1989: Amtrdf KITFOX, Valkaria, FL, Substantial damage. Pitched up and stalled on climbout. Claimed lacked elevator pitchdown. Claim refuted by kit maker.

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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