# NTSB SEA04LA130: Petsche Kitfox Kitfox 7, N1078P, Arlington, WA, July 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2004, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.160831, -122.158889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1608&lon=-122.1589&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): 59615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59615/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor contributing to the accident was a direct crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated the airplane began to porpoise shortly after landing (wheel landing) on runway 34. The pilot stated corrective actions were taken, however, the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and rudder. The METAR weather observation for the airport during the timeframe of the accident reported in part: winds from 240 degrees true at 7 knots; visibility 10 statute mile; scattered clouds at 2,100 feet AGL, scattered clouds at 3,200 feet; temperature 18 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 12 degrees C. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2004, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Petsche Kitfox 7, airplane, N1078P, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a runway excursion while landing at Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO), Arlington, Washington. The airplane was being operated by the pilot/builder as a personal pleasure flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certified private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight that originated at Ellensburg, Washington. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, the pilot stated the airplane began to porpoise shortly after landing (wheel landing) on runway 34. The pilot stated corrective actions were taken, however, the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and rudder. The METAR observation for KAWO at 1235 reported in part: winds from 240 degrees true at 7 knots; visibility 10 statute mile; scattered clouds at 2,100 feet AGL, scattered clouds at 3,200 feet; temperature 18 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 12 degrees C. At the time of the accident, a temporary FAA control tower was in operation at Arlington to facilitate the Northwest EAA Fly-In. Prior to landing, the pilot was issued a landing clearance and advised of the wind direction and speed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1078P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1078P-2025-11-08), registration cancelled 2025-11-08, S/N S60111-068, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Petsche Kitfox Kitfox 7 - Registry model: [Petsche Tim KITFOX SERIES 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/petsche-tim-kitfox-series-7) (registry code 05614RJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Z60111-068 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Rotax 914 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy E. Petsche - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2004, 50 hours before - Departed: ELN, ELLENSBURG, WA - Destination: AWO, Arlington, WA - Airport: AWO, Arlington Muni, runway 34, 5,333 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 810 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KAWO ## 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 20040709012449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040709012449A), Jul 9, 2004: Amtr KITFOXSERIE7, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he conducted a normal approach, and made a normal landing on the main wheels. Aircraft began to porpoise, and subsequently ground… ## Other investigations on N1078P (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 CEN24LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA262), Jul 12, 2024: Skystar Kitfox (N1078P), Hackney, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in a gusting wind condition. 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.