# NTSB NYC00LA034: Bates Kitfox, N993DB, Westminster, MD, November 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 1999, 16:03 local (21:03 UTC) - Place: Westminster, MD - Coordinates: 39.650283, -77.039741 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6503&lon=-77.0397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47861/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - qualification, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot departed, and climbed to a cruise altitude of 1,000 feet msl. After flying for approximately 30 minutes the pilot maneuvered the airplane onto a 45 degree downwind entry at 200 feet agl. He then saw an ultra light on a converging heading. He banked the airplane to the right, advanced the throttle, and initiated a climb. Once clear, the pilot began a turn to the left to follow the ultra light onto the downwind, but while turning, the airplane entered an 'accelerated stall.' The pilot estimates that at the time of the stall the airplane was nose up approximately 10 degrees, and banking to the left approximately 15 degrees. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 1999, at 1603 eastern standard time, a homebuilt Kitfox, N993DB, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Westminster, Maryland. The certificated student pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from a grass strip near Liberty Town, Maryland. A flight plan was not filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he arrived at the private airstrip with his wife, about 1200. He made some repairs to the airplane's intercom system, then conducted a preflight. During the preflight he checked that the fuel quantity was full, and he noticed no anomalies with the airplane. Both he and his wife boarded the airplane, and the engine started on the first attempt. He completed the run-up check in front of the hangar, then taxied to the south runway. Once on the grass strip, the pilot advanced the throttle and departed. He flew approximately 15 minutes to visit a friend, landed, and shut down the airplane's engine. After approximately 45 minutes, the pilot and his wife re-boarded the airplane, and departed via the northeast runway for a second destination. The pilot climbed to a cruise altitude of 1,000 feet msl, and flew approximately 30 minutes. Then, while maneuvering the airplane onto a 45 degree downwind entry at 200 feet agl, the pilot saw an ultra light on a converging heading. He banked the airplane to the right, advanced the throttle, and initiated a climb. Once clear, the pilot began a turn to the left to follow the ultra light onto the downwind, but while turning, the airplane entered an "accelerated stall." The pilot estimates that at the time of the stall the airplane was nose up approximately 10 degrees, and banking to the left approximately 15 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N993DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N993DB-2001-12-04), registration cancelled 2001-12-04, S/N JBS075, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bates KITFOX - Registry model: [Bates Donald R KITFOX SPEEDSTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/bates-donald-r-kitfox-speedster) (registry code 05623J2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JBS075 - Airframe hours: 140 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenton Frederic - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1999, 42 hours before - Departed: NONE, LIBERTY TOWN, MD - Destination: NONE, LIBERTY TOWN, MD - Airport: NONE, Baugher'S Orchard ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 33 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 19991121041719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991121041719A), Nov 21, 1999: Amtr KITFOXSPEEDS, Westminster, MD, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot departed, and climbed to a cruise altitude of 1,000 feet MSL. After flying for approximately 30 minutes the pilot maneuvered the airplane onto a… 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.