# NTSB SEA03LA168: Nolen Kitfox Lite Squared, N222JN, Homedale, ID, August 12, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2003, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Homedale, ID - Coordinates: 43.610832, -116.918891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6108&lon=-116.9189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Boise FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57693/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA168 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds and his failure to maintain an airspeed above stalling speed (Vs) just as the aircraft was becoming airborne during the takeoff roll. Factors include a gusty quartering tailwind, and the pilot's preflight decision to take off in the downwind direction, and the pilot's total lack of experience in this make and model aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) ## Analysis The subject aircraft had received its temporary experimental airworthiness certificate on the morning of the accident, and this was to be its first flight. When the temporary certificate was issued, the FAA inspector who issued it told the pilot not to take off on runway 31 until the required 40 hours had been flown off, since to do so might take the aircraft over the town of Homedale, a congested area. At the time the pilot made the decision to take off on runway 13, there was a left quartering tailwind of about 10 knots, gusting to around 15 knots. Although the pilot was aware he was taking off with a tailwind, he did not want to wait until the wind died down, and since he could not take off to the north because of the FAA restriction, he elected to attempt the southerly departure (runway 13). Just after liftoff near the end of the runway, a gust of wind elevated the left wing "...to the point where the tip of the right wing scrapped the runway surface." During the pilot's attempt to recover control of the aircraft, it sank/mushed into the runway surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage. There was no evidence of any anomalies in the aircraft flight control system or its engine. During the investigation, it was determined that the pilot had never before flown this make and model aircraft. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2003, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nolen Kitfox Lite Squared, N222JN, impacted the terrain near the southeast end of runway 13 at Homedale Municipal Airport, Homedale, Idaho. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no ELT activation. According to the pilot/builder, the aircraft had received its temporary experimental airworthiness certificate on the morning of the accident, and this was to be its first flight. When the temporary certificate was issued, the FAA inspector who issued it told the pilot not to take off on runway 31 until the required 40 hours had been flown off, since to do so might take the aircraft over the town of Homedale, a congested area. At the time the pilot made the decision to take off on runway 13, there was a left quartering tailwind of about 10 knots, gusting to around 15 knots. Although the pilot was aware he was taking off with a tailwind, he did not want to wait until the wind died down, and since he could not take off to the north because of the FAA restriction, he elected to attempt the southerly departure (runway 13). He said that just after liftoff near the end of the runway, a gust of wind elevated the left wing "...to the point where the tip of the right wing scrapped the runway surface." According to the pilot, during his attempt to recover control of the aircraft, it sank/mushed into the runway surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage. According to both the pilot and the FAA inspector who responded to the scene, there was no evidence of any anomalies in the aircraft flight control system or its engine. During the investigation, it was determined that the pilot had never before flown this make and model aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222JN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222JN-2006-04-04), registration cancelled 2006-04-04, S/N C02120287, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nolen Kitfox Lite Squared - Registry model: [Nolen Jack R LITE SQUARED](https://openairdocs.org/model/nolen-jack-r-lite-squared) (registry code 05615WG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2120287 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack R, Nolen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: S66, Homedale, ID - Destination: S66 - Airport: S66, Homedale Municipal, runway 13, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; last flight review June 3, 1989; seat: left; flight hours: 2,157 total, 0 in this make and model, 2,046 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F ## 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 20030812018119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030812018119A), Aug 12, 2003: Amtr LITESQUARED, Homedale, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command last valid medical certificate expired in 1988. According to his verbal statement, he has not acted as pilot in command since 1988.… ## Other investigations on N222JN (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW05LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA069), Jan 14, 2005: Nolen Lite Squared (N222JN), Holdenville, OK, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Undetermined 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.