# NTSB NYC05CA115: Wagner Kitfox II, N16AF, Albion, NY, July 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2005, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Albion, NY - Coordinates: 43.29639, -78.21389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2964&lon=-78.2139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 61909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61909/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of airplane control after inadvertently taking off while conducting high-speed taxi runs. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis While performing high-speed taxi runs on the turf runway, the pilot elected to conduct a few "crow hops." After applying full power, the airplane became airborne, and suddenly turned to the right and descended to the ground. The pilot stated that he "considered his inexperience with the airplane was a major cause of the accident," and reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot had no previous experience in the accident airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 2005, at 1210 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Kitfox II, N16AF, was substantially damaged during high-speed taxi at the Gaines Valley Airport (GVA), Albion, New York. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Gainesville, Georgia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, a flight instructor had test flown the airplane approximately 6 days prior to the accident flight, and noted that the airplane flew satisfactory, with no abnormalities noted. Due to time constraints, the flight instructor was unable to fly with the pilot, and suggested that the pilot perform some solo high-speed taxi runs to get a feel for the airplane since he had never flown it. On the day of the accident, the pilot elected to conduct a few "crow hops" while taxiing the airplane on the turf runway. After applying full power, the airplane became airborne, and suddenly turned to the right and descended to the ground. The pilot also stated that he "considered his inexperience with the airplane was a major cause of the accident." According to a NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted by the pilot, he had no experience in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16AF-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 89, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wagner Kitfox II - Registry model: [Wagner Richard H KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/wagner-richard-h-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05605KC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 89 - Airframe hours: 30 - Engines: Rotax 532 62 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sherman Horton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2005 - Departed: GVA, Albion, NY - Airport: GVA, Gaines Valley Airport, runway 09, 4,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20050706018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050706018709A), Jul 6, 2005: Amtr KITFOXII, Albion, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at 1209 EDT, a wagner Kitfox ii aircraft, N16AF, operated by the pilot [privacy data omitted] , contacted the ground during… 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.