# NTSB SEA05CA191: Gleason Sky Star Kitfox, N852PG, Klamath Falls, OR, September 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 12, 2005, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Klamath Falls, OR - Coordinates: 42.156112, -121.733055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1561&lon=-121.7331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62566/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA191 ## Probable cause The binding of the flaperon push pull tube due to deformation of the front seat, which resulted in a loss of control on takeoff initial climb and collision with the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - fuselage,seat - buckled (cause) - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - binding(mechanical) (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis According to the pilot/builder, he had completed the required number of initial solo flight hours following construction of the experimental airplane, and he wanted to familiarize himself with the airplane's flight characteristics when carrying additional weight before carrying a passenger. He placed a bag of cement in the right seat and used the lap and shoulder belts to secure the bag. He completed a "normal runup and control checks" and then performed a normal takeoff on runway 14. At an altitude of 20 to 30 feet, he "could not move flaperons." As he "applied more pressure stick moved abruptly to right." The airplane banked to the right, the pilot corrected, and the airplane banked to the left. He was unable to maintain control of the airplane, and the left wingtip contacted the runway. The airplane settled onto the runway, and the left main gear collapsed. When the pilot examined the airplane after the accident, he found scrape marks on the flaperon push pull tube that was routed below the front seat. He also noted that the "seat was lower than normal after crash." ## Factual narrative On September 12, 2005, about 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Gleason Sky Star Kitfox amateur-built experimental airplane, N852PG, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the runway following a loss of control during the takeoff initial climb at Klamath Falls Airport, Klamath Falls, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant and the builder of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local flight. The accident occurred as the flight was originating. According to the pilot, he had completed the required number of initial solo flight hours following construction of the airplane, and he wanted to familiarize himself with the flight characteristics of the airplane when carrying additional weight before carrying a passenger. He placed a bag of cement in the right seat and used the lap and shoulder belts to secure the bag. He completed a "normal runup and control checks" and then performed a normal takeoff on runway 14. At an altitude of 20 to 30 feet, he "could not move flaperons." As he "applied more pressure stick moved abruptly to right." The airplane banked to the right, the pilot corrected, and the airplane banked to the left. He was unable to maintain control of the airplane, and the left wingtip contacted the runway. The airplane settled onto the runway, and the left main gear collapsed. When the pilot examined the airplane after the accident, he found scrape marks on the flaperon push pull tube that was routed below the front seat. He also noted that the "seat was lower than normal after crash." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N852PG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N852PG), registered now, S/N S94050025 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gleason Sky Star Kitfox - Registry model: [Gleason Peter R SKY STAR KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/gleason-peter-r-sky-star-kitfox) (registry code 05606N3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S94050025 - Engines: Continental O-200-A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peter R. Gleason - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LMT, Klamath Falls, OR - Airport: LMT, Klamath Falls, runway 14 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 818 total, 37 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050912020069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050912020069A), Sep 12, 2005: Amtr KITFOXSERIE5, Klamath Falls, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot loaded an eighty pound bag of cement into the passenger seat to evaluate aircraft performance with additional weight. During takeoff pilot noticed… 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.