# NTSB MIA97LA191: Sherman Powell Kitfox IV, N582KF, Concord, NC, June 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 1997, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Concord, NC - Coordinates: 35.410293, -80.6809 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4103&lon=-80.6809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38294 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38294/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA191 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control and his poor preflight planning preparation for allowing the pilot rated passenger to manipulate the throttle control. Contributing to the accident was the pilots total lack of experience in make and model. ## 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) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot-in-command who is a CFI was seated in the right front seat and the airplane owner who was previously tailwheel trained was seated in the left front seat. The PIC had never before the accident flight flown the accident make and model airplane. The airplane owner was required by insurance requirements to receive dual instruction. The owner performed the first takeoff with an uneventful full-stop landing. The second takeoff attempt was performed with the PIC manipulating the flight controls and the owner manipulating the throttle control. During the takeoff roll after the tail was raised the airplane began to yaw to the left. The PIC attempted to correct with right rudder and the airplane subsequently became airborne then touched down first with the right main landing gear followed by the right wing tip. The airplane ground looped and came to rest upright. The PIC stated that after the airplane came to rest the throttle was fully open. He further stated that the accident would not have occurred if he was manipulating the throttle control. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 1997, about 0940 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Kitfox IV, N582KF, registered to a private individual, experienced a loss of control during takeoff from the Concord Regional Airport, Concord, North Carolina. 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 commercial-rated pilot and private-rated passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The airplane owner was previously trained to fly tailwheel equipped airplanes but his insurance required dual instruction in the make and model. The certified flight instructor (CFI/PIC) who was seated in the right seat stated he had not before the accident flight flown the accident make and model airplane. The airplane owner stated that he performed the first takeoff, remained in the traffic pattern and performed a full-top landing. During the second takeoff the CFI/PIC was manipulating the flight controls and at this request, the dual student was manipulating the throttle control. Power was applied to takeoff and the airplane began rolling down the runway centerline. After the tail was raised the airplane yawed to the left then became airborne momentarily. The CFI/PIC applied right rudder to correct but the airplane then touched down first on the right main landing gear and the right wing tip then contacted the runway. The airplane then ground looped and came to rest upright. The CFI/PIC further stated that after the airplane came to rest full throttle was still applied and the accident would not have occurred if he was manipulating all controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N582KF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N582KF), registered now, S/N 1455, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SHERMAN POWELL KITFOX IV - Registry model: [Powell Sherman Blakstone III KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/powell-sherman-blakstone-iii-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05620EP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1455 - Engines: Rotax 582 LC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen Y. Morgan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1996, 15 hours before - Departed: JQF - Airport: JQF, Concord Regional, runway 2, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 800 total, 750 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 2 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CLT, 15 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 19970621015349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970621015349A), Jun 21, 1997: Amtr KITFOX, Concord, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost control on takeoff, ran off runway, right wing struck the ground. (-23) on Saturday at approximately 0930 am eastern daylight saving time,… 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.