# NTSB MIA95LA036: Colvin Kitfox II, N491WC, Fort Pierce, FL, December 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1994, 11:12 local (16:12 UTC)
- Place: Fort Pierce, FL
- Coordinates: 26.650449, -80.249137 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6504&lon=-80.2491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA036

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED WATER ON THE GRASS RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF IN A HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE FROM A FIELD IN FRONT OF A HOUSE. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ACCELERATE ADEQUATELY AND HIT A FENCE AND CARTWHEELED INTO TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE FIELD SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THE FIELD WAS WET AND THERE WERE AREAS OF STANDING WATER.

## Factual narrative

On December 10, 1994, about 1112 eastern standard time, N491WC, a homebuilt Kitfox registered to the pilot Wilbur Colvin, crashed in Fort Pierce, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he was attempting a takeoff from his front yard when he encountered standing water on the grass runway. The takeoff roll was continued and the airplane struck a fence immediately after becoming airborne. The airplane then cartwheeled into a field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N491WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N491WC-2013-10-18), registration cancelled 2013-10-18, S/N 281 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COLVIN KITFOX II
- Registry model: [Colvin W D KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/colvin-w-d-kitfox-ii) (registry code 0561888) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 281
- Airframe hours: 88
- Engines: ROTAX 582-LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Colvin, Wilbur D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1994, 14 hours before
- Destination: FL
- Airport: runway 33, 500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 88 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR, 14 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 19941210041259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941210041259A), Dec 10, 1994: Amtrdf KITFOX, Ft Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Tried depart wet grass strip in front yard. Struck a fence on liftoff and cartwheeled.

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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