# NTSB SEA94LA134: Kopp Kitfox II, N56MD, Bremerton, WA, June 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1994, 13:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Bremerton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.569747, -122.630081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5697&lon=-122.6301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA134

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.  FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND UNFAVORABLE WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE FLARING FOR LANDING IN VARIABLE WIND CONDITIONS, THE PILOT OF THE KITFOX WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  HIS REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN TO REGAIN CONTROL WAS NOT ADEQUATE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM DEPARTING THE RUNWAY. AFTER DEPARTING THE RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On June 1, 1994, approximately 1310 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Kopp Kitfox II, N56MD, flipped over during a landing at Bremerton National Airport, Bremerton, Washington.  The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The personal pleasure flight, which departed Sanderson Field, Shelton, Washington about 1250 PDT, was in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident.  No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

The pilot said that he encountered a crosswind while landing, and was unable to maintain directional control.  He added power in an attempt to recover, but the aircraft ground looped and flipped over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56MD-1995-11-08), registration cancelled 1995-11-08, S/N 737 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KOPP KITFOX II
- Registry model: [Kopp Herschel S KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/kopp-herschel-s-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05623ZD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 737
- Airframe hours: 25
- Engines: ROTAX 582LC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kopp, Herschel S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: SHN, SANDERSON FIELD, WA
- Airport: PWT, Bremerton National, runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,049 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19940601013369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940601013369A), Jun 1, 1994: Amtrdf KITFOX, Bremerton, WA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing due sudden crosswind gust. Ground looped and flipped over.

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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