# NTSB WPR14CA214: Olson Kitfox II, N514DL, Helena, MT, May 23, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 23, 2014, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 46.605834, -111.989166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6058&lon=-111.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89292/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89292
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA214

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

## 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: [Olson Darrell D KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05625ML), [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: [Olson Darrell D KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05625ML), [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.

- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Olson Darrell D KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05625ML), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a full stop landing on a grass strip, rolling out at 20 mph, the airplane started veering left and he applied right rudder and right brake. The airplane abruptly nosed over and came to rest inverted substantially damaging the aft fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during a full stop landing on a grass strip, rolling out at 20 mph, the airplane started veering left and he applied right rudder and right brake. The airplane abruptly nosed over and came to rest inverted substantially damaging the aft fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N514DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N514DL-2015-03-12), registration cancelled 2015-03-12, S/N 514, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: OLSON KITFOX II
- Registry model: [Olson Darrell D KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/olson-darrell-d-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05625ML) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 514
- Year built: 1994
- Airframe hours: 782
- Engines: Rotax 912UL 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hopler Harold W
- Registered owner: Hopler Harold W
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 5, 2014
- Departed: KHLN, Helena, MT
- Destination: KHLN, Helena, MT
- Airport: KHLN, Helena Regional Airport, runway 27, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 11,370 total, 25 in this make and model, 6,854 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KHLN

## 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 20140523007729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140523007729A), May 23, 2014: Olson Darrell D KITFOX II, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. On 5/23/2014 N514DL departed Helena at approxiamtely 1912Z and entered VFR closed traffic to the grass strip. On the fourth closed traffic pattern N514DL…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89292. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413494&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of the Damage to the Tail (Photo provided by the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20Damage%20to%20the%20Tail%20(Photo%20provided%20by%20the%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.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.

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