# NTSB WPR10LA155: Keller FK1 Stol, N4XK, Dixie, ID, February 26, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 26, 2010, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Dixie, ID - Coordinates: 45.378887, -115.504997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3789&lon=-115.5050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75460/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75460 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA155 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of the experimental FK1 pilot to maintain clearance from a parked airplane while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Keller Frederick H FK 1 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=05612VE), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Keller Frederick H FK 1 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05612VE), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Keller Frederick H FK 1 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05612VE), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Keller Frederick H FK 1 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05612VE), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 1) According to the pilots of both airplanes, they were flying to the airport where the accident occurred as a flight of two. After arriving at the airport, the Cessna 185 pilot overflew the runway and requested that a friend on the ground check the condition of the snow-covered runway, which was reported as being in excellent condition, smooth and well-compacted. The Cessna 185 pilot landed and taxied to the end of the runway where he turned his airplane around and shut it down. The experimental FK1, which was equipped with skis instead of wheels, landed and was not slowing at the rate the pilot expected. The pilot said that, because of a lack of rudder effectiveness, the experimental FK1 veered uncontrollably to the left and struck the other airplane head on. The Cessna 185 sustained structural damage to the firewall. Both pilots reported no mechanical problems with either the airframes or engines of their respective airplanes. The pilot of the experimental FK1 stated that landing on skis at an unfamiliar airport, with untried surface conditions and with an airplane near the rollout area, was not recommended. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On February 26, 2010, about 1130 mountain standard time, a ski-equipped experimental Keller FK1 STOL, N4XK, collided with a Cessna A185F, N1979T, during the landing roll out at the Dixie USFS Airport (A05), Dixie, Idaho. The pilot/owner operated N4XK under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot/owner operated N1979T under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The incident was upgraded to an accident on March 8, 2010, after investigators were able to determine that there had been substantial damage to at least one of the airplanes involved in the ground collision. In his written statement, the pilot of N4XK stated that N1979T landed to the north, toward rising terrain, and turned around at the end of the strip. He then proceeded to land in the same direction the pilot of N1979T had landed; however, after touchdown his airplane did not decelerate as he had expected it to. He tried to maneuver between N1979T and a bank, but his airplane veered "uncontrollably" to the left toward N1979T. The pilot of N4XK further stated that his airplane was going no faster than 15 miles per hour, and was not responding to rudder input. The airplanes impacted nose-to-nose, which caused damage to the spinner, propeller, engine mounts and cowling of N4XK. In the RECOMMENDATION section of the National Transportation Safety Board pilot/operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the pilot of N4XK stated that landing on skis in an unfamiliar airport, with untried surface conditions, with another airplane near the roll out area was not recommended. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airframe or engine. In the written statement for the pilot of N1979T, he stated that upon arrival at the accident airport, he overflew the strip several times to assess the runway conditions. He contacted a friend on the ground and asked him to make a pass on his snow machine over the runway to check the condition. After the snow machine made a complete pass over the runway, the pilot contacted his friend again and was told that the snow was "excellent, being both smooth and well-compacted." The pilot reported that he landed to the north and turned around at the end of the runway as the midfield tie down area was not available. He was shutting down his airplane as N4XK was landing. The pilot of N1970T stated that N4XK did not appear to be slowing down as much as he had expected it to even though N4XK was in the deeper snow on the right side of the runway. About 100 feet from his airplane, N4XK's nose swung abruptly toward N1979T. He realized N4XK was going to hit his airplane, so he dove into the co-pilot seat and braced for impact. The pilot of N1979T reported the damage to his airplane as thepropeller, cowling, engine, firewall, boot cowl, and the windshield V-brace. He further reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N4XK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4XK), registered now, S/N 001, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Keller FK1 STOL - Registry model: [Keller Frederick H FK 1 STOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/keller-frederick-h-fk-1-stol) (registry code 05612VE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 759 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2009, 42 hours before - Departed: MYL, McCall, ID - Destination: A05, Dixie, ID - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: A05, Dixie USFS, runway 36, 4,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N1979T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1979T), registered now, S/N 18503686, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503686 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2009, 175 hours before - Departed: MYL, McCall, ID - Destination: A05, Dixie, ID - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: A05, Dixie USFS, runway 36, 4,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N4XK; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 6,196 total, 215 in this make and model, 5,937 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N1979T; age 67; injuries: none; flight instructor, flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 27,000 total, 2,750 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MYL, 45 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100226028721A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100226028721A), Feb 26, 2010: Keller Fred FK 1 STOL, Dixie, ID, Substantial damage. Robert e elliott the pilot of N4XK and theodore j. o'malley the pilot of N1979T made plans to land at the Dixie Usfs airstrip. The plan was that N1979T would… - [Accident 20100226028631A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100226028631A), Feb 26, 2010: Cessna A185F, Dixie, ID, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Radioed to a friend on the ground at Dixie to have him check the snow conditions for landing. The friend indicated that the runway was… ## Other investigations on N4XK (1) 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 CHI89FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA150), Jul 29, 1989: Prospector FK-1 (N4XK), Chilton, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING IN THAT HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION AND CONTINUED THE FLIGHT BEYOND THE ORIGINAL PERIOD PLANNED. BEFORE TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF HIS FUEL ENDURANCE. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75460. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N4XK (item 1, .PDF, 562 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328087&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N4XK-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N1979T (item 2, .PDF, 616 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N1979T-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.