# NTSB WPR09CA183: Denny Aerocraft Kitfox III, N392JJ, Oakdale, CA, March 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 25, 2009, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Oakdale, CA - Coordinates: 37.756389, -120.800277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7564&lon=-120.8003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73609 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73609/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA183 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05620UQ), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=05620UQ), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05620UQ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05620UQ), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05620UQ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05620UQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05620UQ), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot noted prior to departure that the winds were about the same as when he landed about 30 minutes earlier. He was departing on runway 28, and the winds were from 320 degrees at 10 knots with light gusts. About 5 feet above ground level after liftoff, the airplane suddenly veered to the left and down into a bowl-shaped depression adjacent to the runway. He recovered to unstable, but level, slow flight just inside the basin with the runway about 12 feet above and to the right of his position. He was approaching the end of the depression and lowered the flaps 10 degrees as he pulled up on the control stick. The airplane cleared the slope, but then the wind pushed it to the left again. The right main landing gear contacted the ground followed by firm contact with the left main landing gear and tailwheel. The tail bounced on the ground and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to both wings, right flaperon, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative The pilot noted prior to departure that the winds were about the same as when he landed about 30 minutes earlier. He was departing on runway 28, and the winds were from 320 degrees at 10 knots with light gusts. About 5 feet above ground level after liftoff, the airplane suddenly veered to the left and down into a bowl-shaped depression adjacent to the runway. He recovered to unstable level slow flight just inside the basin with the runway about 12 feet above and to the right of his position. He was approaching the end of the depression and lowered the flaps 10 degrees as he pulled up on the control stick. The airplane cleared the slope, but then the wind pushed it to the left again. The right main landing gear contacted the ground followed by firm contact with the left main landing gear and tail wheel. The tail bounced on the ground and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to both wings, right flaperon, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N392JJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N392JJ), registered now, S/N 1146 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Denny Aerocraft Kitfox III - Registry model: [Mcgregor Robert M KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcgregor-robert-m-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05620UQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1146 - Engines: Rotax 582/LC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert M McGregor - Registered owner: Robert M McGregor - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: KO27, Oakdale, CA - Destination: KL36, Rio Linda, CA - Airport: KO27, Oakdale, runway 28, 3,020 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 14, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 779 total, 265 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KMOD, 11 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 20090325003929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090325003929A), Mar 25, 2009: Amtr KITFOXIII, Oakdale, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Takeoff was initiated from runway 28 with ailerons adjusted to compensate for a right crosswind and was normal until just after liftoff (at approx. 5'… 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.