# NTSB MIA96LA087: Marks Kitfox II, N915PK, Panama City, FL, February 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1996, 14:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: Panama City, FL - Coordinates: 30.200054, -85.670257 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2001&lon=-85.6703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA087 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and subsequent collision with a ditch. Factors relating to the accident were: failure of the airspeed indicator, the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, and the crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - inoperative (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis After takeoff, the flight instructor (CFI) recognized that the airspeed indicator was inoperative. He elected to return to the airport and land on runway 32. During the landing, the airplane bounced, then drifted off the right side of the runway. The CFI then applied power to go-around, but the airplane collided with a ditch. The wind was reported to be from 220 degrees at 8 knots. Runway 23 was available for landing with nearly a direct headwind. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 1996, about 1425 central standard time, a homebuilt Kitfox II, N915PK, registered to a private individual, collided with a ditch while landing at the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, Panama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI) sustained serious injuries. The student pilot/owner sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1415 from the Panama City Airport. The CFI stated that he listened to the ATIS before giving about 1 hour of dual taxiing instruction to the student. He did not again listen to the ATIS before takeoff from runway 32, and during the initial climb, both observed that the airspeed indicator was inoperative. The CFI elected to return and landed hard, then bounced. The airplane drifted off the right side of the runway and he applied power to go-around but the airplane collided with a ditch about 150 feet off the right side of the runway. The CFI and student pilot/owner both stated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction of the engine or of the airframe. The CFI further stated that if he had applied power sooner the accident could have been avoided. A weather observation taken at the airport about 1 minute after the accident indicates that the wind was from 220 degrees at 8 knots. A weather observation taken at the airport about 38 minutes before the accident indicates that the wind was from 250 degrees at 5 knots. The airport has runway 23 that was available. No determination was made as to the reason for the inoperative airspeed indicator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N915PK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N915PK-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N 709, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Marks KITFOX II - Registry model: [Marks C A III KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/marks-c-a-iii-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05620UT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 709 - Airframe hours: 14 - Engines: Rotax 582LC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael L. Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1996, 2 hours before - Departed: PFN - Airport: PFN, Panama City - Bay County, runway 32, 6,314 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,330 total, 6 in this make and model, 6,753 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PFN ## 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 19960224002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960224002699A), Feb 24, 1996: Amtrdf KITFOX, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. Hard crosswind landing. Began belated go around but collided with ditch off side runway. CFI not qualified in type. ## Other investigations on N915PK (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA11LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA336), Jun 10, 2011: Marks Ca III Kitfox II (N915PK), Scarborough, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off with a gusting wind. 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.