# NTSB NYC00LA032: Statz Kitfox II, N317RS, Ebensburg, PA, November 18, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 18, 1999, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Ebensburg, PA - Coordinates: 40.480152, -78.720069 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4802&lon=-78.7201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47771 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47771/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA032 ## Probable cause was the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during a bounced landing recovery. A factor was the pilot's 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, landing - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - downhill ## Analysis The private pilot was practicing touch and go wheel landings on runway 25, when the airplane bounced. The pilot added power and the airplane initially went left. He added right rudder to correct and the airplane departed the runway on the right side, and went down an embankment. The pilot reported the winds were from 350 degrees at 3 knots. He reported his total flight experience as 150 hours with 5.6 hours in make and model. The FAA examined the airplane and reported no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On November 18, 1999, about 1145 eastern standard time, a homebuilt Kitfox II, N317RS, was substantially damaged at the Ebensburg Airport, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the airport manager, the pilot was practicing touch and go wheel landings on runway 25. The accident occurred during the second wheel landing. The pilot reported that at a speed of about 30 miles per hour (MPH), the airplane bounced. He added power, and the airplane turned left. He then applied right rudder to correct and the airplane departed the runway on the right side, and went down an embankment. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the left wing was bent, the landing gear had collapsed rearward, and the fuselage was twisted. In addition, there was no evidence of a mechanical failure of malfunction with the airframe or engine. According to FAA records, the pilot had received his private pilot certificate on December 9, 1998. The pilot received a tailwheel checkout on September 18, 1999, after he received 8.4 hours in a Piper J3. He reported his total flight experience as 150 hours, with 5.6 hours in the Kitfox. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N317RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N317RS-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N 317, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Statz KITFOX II - Registry model: [Statz Robert G KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/statz-robert-g-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05620TC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 317 - Airframe hours: 65 - Engines: Rotax 532 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Allen O. Grimm - Registered owner: Angle Of Grace Ministries - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1999, 8 hours before - Departed: 9G8 - Airport: 9G8, Ebensburg Airport, runway 25, 3,204 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 6 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JST, 9 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 19991118046449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991118046449A), Nov 18, 1999: Amtr KITFOXII, Ebensburg, PA, No damage. (-23)The data was compiled from the pilot's statement, witness statements and an on scene, investigation conducted by personnel from the alleghey flight… 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.