# NTSB WPR11CA088: Ferkin Kitfox IV, N90TY, Homedale, ID, January 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 4, 2011, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Homedale, ID - Coordinates: 43.608761, -116.93605 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6088&lon=-116.9360&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78115/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78115 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the snow-covered terrain during the takeoff ground roll, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rhoades Larry W KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05604Z0), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rhoades Larry W KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=05604Z0), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rhoades Larry W KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05604Z0), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Rhoades Larry W KITFOX IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05604Z0), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge indicated no oil pressure. The pilot performed a precautionary landing on a snow-covered hill. He examined the airplane and discovered that the sending wire had disconnected from the oil pressure gauge. He plugged it in and the oil pressure gauge functioned properly. He estimated that the snow cover was 4 inches deep. During the takeoff roll, he raised the tailwheel and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that he should have used soft-field takeoff techniques due to the snow-covered terrain. ## Factual narrative The pilot submitted a written statement. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge showed no oil pressure. The pilot performed a precautionary landing on a snow-covered hill. He examined the airplane and discovered that the sending wire had disconnected from the oil pressure gauge. He plugged it in and the oil pressure gauge functioned properly. He estimated that the snow cover was 4 inches deep. During the takeoff roll, he raised the tailwheel. The airplane then nosed-over. The pilot stated that he should have used soft-field takeoff techniques due to the snow-covered terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90TY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90TY), registered now, S/N 1800, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ferkin Kitfox IV - Registry model: [Rhoades Larry W KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/rhoades-larry-w-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05604Z0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1510 - Airframe hours: 61 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ty Ferkin - Registered owner: Mark Ferkin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 30, 2010 - Departed: S66, Homedale, ID - Destination: 28U, Owyhee, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 23, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 20 in this make and model, 305 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.42 inHg - Observed at: EUL, 13 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 20110104000029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110104000029A), Jan 4, 2011: Ferkin Mark KITFOX IV, Homedale, ID, Substantial damage. The private pilot lost oil pressure and decided to make a precautionary off airport landing. A review of the landing area showed the mountain was snow covered… ## Other investigations on N90TY (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 SEA04CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA160), Aug 16, 2004: Beyers Kitfox IV (N90TY), Sandpoint, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. Contributing factors were the rough grass runway, and the trees on the left side of the runway. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78115. 346 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342245&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.