# NTSB SEA04LA120: Sheppard Kitfox IV, N316R, Rigby, ID, June 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2004, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Rigby, ID - Coordinates: 43.644443, -111.928337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6444&lon=-111.9283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59534 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59534/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA120 ## Probable cause Failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include muddy terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor) - Nose down, landing - roll ## Analysis The first pilot reported that the second pilot was checking him out in type. He stated the second pilot completed the first landing on runway 19. Following the successful landing the first pilot attempted a landing on the same runway. He stated that shortly after touchdown, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right. The first pilot applied brakes and corrective action, however, the airplane continued to track to the right. The airplane eventually exited the runway, encountered soft muddy terrain and nosed down. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2004, about 0830 mountain daylight time, a Sheppard Kitfox IV airplane, N316R, sustained substantial damage while landing at Rigby-Jefferson County Airport, Rigby, Idaho. The airplane was operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The first pilot, an airline transport pilot seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, a private pilot seated in the left seat, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight originated at Rigby-Jefferson at 0800. During a post-accident telephone conversation with a representative from the National Transportation Safety Board (IIC), the first pilot reported that the second pilot was checking him out in type. He stated the second pilot completed the first landing on runway 19. Following the successful landing, the first pilot attempted a landing on the same runway. He stated that shortly after touchdown, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right. The first pilot applied brakes and corrective action, however, the airplane continued to track to the right. The airplane eventually exited the runway, encountered soft muddy terrain and nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and wing lift strut. Damage was also noted to the left landing gear wheel assembly (outer rim bead) and landing gear attach bracket. The left-hand tire separated from the wheel assembly. The left-hand forward gear bracket bolt (AN-5-20A) was found in its installed position. The first pilot reported that the associated washer and nut were later located on the runway, right of the runway centerline, between the point of touchdown and where the airplane came to rest. Thread shear and stripping was noted to the nut, and remnants of the threads were found on the bolt grip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N316R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N316R), registered now, S/N 1561, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sheppard Kitfox IV - Registry model: [Sheppard Ron D KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/sheppard-ron-d-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05623HJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1561 - Airframe hours: 370 - Engines: Rotax 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eldon B. Corry - Registered owner: SkyFox, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: U56, RIGBY, ID - Destination: U56, Rigby, ID - Airport: U56, Rigby-Jefferson County, runway 19, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 3, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 12,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 5, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KIDA, 10 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 20040629012569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040629012569A), Jun 29, 2004: Amtr KITFOXIV, Rigby, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that the attach bolt for the landing gear to the fuselage failed. (In fact, the nut was stripped from the bolt). The aircraft travelled… 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.