# NTSB WPR09CA351: Cox John Wiley Kitfox III, N4276M, Laurel, MT, July 15, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 15, 2009, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.705001, -108.759162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7050&lon=-108.7592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA351 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74306/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74306 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA351 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around from a landing. ## 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: [Cox John Wiley KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05626NR), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox John Wiley KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05626NR), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cox John Wiley KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05626NR), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cox John Wiley KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05626NR), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cox John Wiley KITFOX III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05626NR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While performing a series of touch-and-go landings, the pilot inadvertently allowed the tail wheel-equipped airplane to touch down with one wing lower than the other. Almost immediately after the airplane touched the surface, it suddenly veered toward the edge of the runway. The pilot added power in an attempt to execute a go-around, but before he could get the airplane airborne, it departed the runway surface and impacted the adjacent terrain. ## Factual narrative While performing a series of touch-and-go landings, the pilot inadvertently allowed the tail wheel-equipped airplane to touch down with one wing lower than the other. Almost immediately after the airplane touched the surface, it suddenly veered toward the edge of the runway. The pilot therefore added power in an attempt to execute a go-around, but before he could get the airplane airborne, it departed the runway and impacted the adjacent terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4276M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4276M-2024-10-24), registration cancelled 2024-10-24, S/N 1165 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COX JOHN WILEY KITFOX III - Registry model: [Cox John Wiley KITFOX III](https://openairdocs.org/model/cox-john-wiley-kitfox-iii) (registry code 05626NR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1165 - Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX (ALL) reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Glasgow Gary E - Registered owner: Glasgow Gary E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 6S8, Laurel, MT - Destination: 6S8, Laurel, MT - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 6S8, Laurel Municipal, runway 22, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 150 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74306. 671 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 671 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.