# NTSB NYC08CA092: Kral Series 5 Kitfox, N97GK, Fruitland Park, FL, February 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 3, 2008, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Fruitland Park, FL - Coordinates: 28.878055, -81.940834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8781&lon=-81.9408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67453 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67453/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility due to sunglare and haze. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Kral Gerard J SERIES 5 KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05603OV), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kral Gerard J SERIES 5 KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05603OV), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: haze/smoke](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Kral Gerard J SERIES 5 KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md?model=05603OV), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Kral Gerard J SERIES 5 KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=05603OV), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Kral Gerard J SERIES 5 KITFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05603OV), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur built Series 5 Kitfox, approached the private grass airstrip from the northwest, and set up for a straight-in approach to runway 09. During the final leg of the approach, the visibility was "slightly restricted" due to the morning sunlight coming from the east and haze. About 1/2 mile from the runway, the airplane encountered a slight downdraft, so the pilot increased engine power. About that time, the airplane's tailwheel struck an unmarked transmission wire about 150 feet above the ground. The airplane then pitched down, impacted the ground, caught fire, and was destroyed. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated in part, "[have] more altitude on final approach." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the amateur built Series 5 Kitfox, he approached the private grass airstrip from the northwest, and set up for a straight-in approach to runway 09. During the final leg of the approach, the visibility was "slightly restricted" due to the morning sunlight coming from the east and haze. About 1/2 mile from the runway, the airplane encountered a slight downdraft, so the pilot increased engine power. About that time, the airplane's tailwheel struck an unmarked transmission wire about 150 feet above the ground. The airplane then pitched down, impacted the ground, caught fire, and was destroyed. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated in part, "[have] more altitude on final approach." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97GK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97GK-2010-04-21), registration cancelled 2010-04-21, S/N S9601-0165, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kral Series 5 Kitfox - Registry model: [Kral Gerard J SERIES 5 KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/kral-gerard-j-series-5-kitfox) (registry code 05603OV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S9601-0165 - Airframe hours: 179 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007 - Departed: FD04, Ocala, FL - Destination: 5FA1, Fruitland Park, FL - Airport: 5FA1, Flying Palomino Ranch Airport, runway 9, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,275 total, 170 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 7 nm away 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.