# NTSB SEA92LA096: Robert Griffiths Kitfox MOD II, N7183H, Burlington, WA, May 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1992, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.460262, -122.600006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4603&lon=-122.6000&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 August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA096

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY, AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH/GUSTY WINDS, AND A FENCE NEAR THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE KITFOX II EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF IN WINDS OF 15 KNOTS, WITH HIGHER GUSTS. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT FOUND THAT FULL DEFLECTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DID NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH RESPONSE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE STRONG/GUSTY WINDS FORCED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE PLANNED DEPARTURE COURSE, WHERE IT CONTACTED A FENCE, AND THEN IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7183H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7183H), registered now, S/N 531 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT GRIFFITHS KITFOX MOD II (KITFOX MOD)
- Registry model: [Griffiths Robert KITFOX MODEL 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/griffiths-robert-kitfox-model-2) (registry code 05616E8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 531
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: ROTAX 582 LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Griffiths, Robert F.
- Registered owner: Griffiths, Robert F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 2000
- Destination: 74S, ANACORTES, WA
- Airport: 75S, Skagit Regional, runway 28, 5,475 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19920512014319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920512014319A), May 12, 1992: Amtrdf KITFOX, Burlington/Mt V, WA, Substantial damage. Wind gust drifted aircraft on liftoff,could not maintain control of aircraft, struck a fence and hit ground.

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.

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