# NTSB SEA97LA062: Hall Kitfox, N87TJ, Billings, MT, February 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1997, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Billings, MT - Coordinates: 45.870944, -108.469734 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8709&lon=-108.4697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42565 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42565/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain flying airspeed while executing a downwind turn at low altitude immediately following takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - unfavorable wind - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had 'monitored the weather at Billings' (located 5 nm south of the crash site). Winds at Billings near the time of the accident were reported as out of the northeast at 13 knots. The pilot further reported that immediately after takeoff to the east he made a slight left turn and then an 'easy right turn at about 100 feet AGL.' The altitude of 100-150 feet was confirmed by a witness. During the crosswind/downwind turn the aircraft descended into the terrain. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 1997, approximately 1610 mountain standard time, a Hall Kitfox, N87TJ, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during collision with terrain during the initial climbout following takeoff from a private airstrip approximately 5 nautical miles north of Billings, Montana. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from a private airstrip located adjacent to the accident site. The pilot reported in an interview with an FAA inspector following the accident that he "had monitored Billings weather prior to takeoff" and that "he took off and made a slight left turn then an easy right turn at about 100 feet AGL (above ground) with an airspeed of approximately 60 knots." He reported further that he "recalled losing elevator and flaperon control between the house and the grain elevators" and that he recalled "he had some rudder control." The pilot's wife, who witnessed the accident, reported that the aircraft took off to the east and confirmed that the aircraft made a left turn followed by a right turn after takeoff. She reported (statement dated 02/28/97) that "he continued in the turn past the house (and) was parallel with the hangar, when the plane suddenly lost all lift (and) dropped to the ground." In her earlier statement to the FAA (02/26/97) she stated that "he flew past the house, continued the right hand turn, was approximately 100-150 feet above ground directly parallel with the hangar, when the plane just fell from the sky." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft during the event (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The 1624 hours special observation for the Billings Logan airport ( five nautical miles south of the accident site) reported winds of 050 degrees magnetic at 13 knots. At 1656 hours the winds were reported as 070 degrees magnetic at 14 knots. And, at 1556 hours the winds were reported as 050 degrees magnetic at 12 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87TJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87TJ), registered now, S/N 158, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HALL KITFOX - Registry model: [Hall Kenneth J KITFOX 532](https://openairdocs.org/model/hall-kenneth-j-kitfox-532) (registry code 05612XQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 2200](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-2200) (registry code 34800, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 158 - Airframe hours: 205 - Engines: Rotax 583ULDC 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Nichols, Eric, S. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1997 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 287 total, 175 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIL, 5 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 19970222001789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970222001789A), Feb 22, 1997: Amtr KITFOX532, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that he had 'monitored the weather at Billings' (located 5 NM south of the crash site). Winds at Billings near the time of the accident… ## Other investigations on N87TJ (2) 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 WPR19TA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA248), Aug 30, 2019: Hall Kitfox (N87TJ), Nampa, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The owner's improper installation of the tailwheel, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control during landing as a result of severe tailwheel vibrations. - [NTSB SEA95LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA193), Aug 23, 1995: Hall Kitfox 1 (N87TJ), Pompeys Pillar, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. High density altitude, unavailabilty of aircraft takeoff performance data, and the short rough takeoff area were factors in the accident. 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.