# NTSB WPR14CA291: Delconte Emidio J Kitfox Series V, N68KF, Cove, OR, July 8, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 8, 2014, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Cove, OR
- Coordinates: 45.569999, -117.528053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5700&lon=-117.5281&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89649/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89649
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA291

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff when the airplane encountered standing water on the airstrip.

## 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: [Delconte Emidio J KITFOX SERIES V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05631U7), [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: [Delconte Emidio J KITFOX SERIES V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631U7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Delconte Emidio J KITFOX SERIES V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=05631U7), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Delconte Emidio J KITFOX SERIES V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05631U7), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Delconte Emidio J KITFOX SERIES V, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05631U7), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass airstrip the right main landing gear of the tailwheel equipped airplane came in contact with standing water. The airplane veered to the right, which resulted in the left wingtip striking the ground. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass airstrip the right main landing gear of the tailwheel equipped airplane came in contact with standing water. The airplane veered to the right, which resulted in the left wingtip striking the ground. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68KF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68KF), registered now, S/N S9505-0122, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DELCONTE EMIDIO J KITFOX SERIES V
- Registry model: [Delconte Emidio J KITFOX SERIES V](https://openairdocs.org/model/delconte-emidio-j-kitfox-series-v) (registry code 05631U7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-235-J2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-235-j2b) (registry code 42050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: S9505-0122
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 170
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-J2B 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Delconte Emidio J
- Registered owner: Delconte Emidio J
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 21, 2013
- Departed: S66, HOMEDALE, ID
- Destination: 7OR0, Cove, OR
- Airport: 7OR0, Minam Lodge, runway 36, 2,000 × 40 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Onboard weather, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,039 total, 170 in this make and model, 2,961 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20140708010819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140708010819A), Jul 8, 2014: Delconte Emidio J KITFOX SERIES V, Wallowa, OR, Substantial damage. On takeoff roll, wheel struck mud hole and aircraft went off the runway and flipped over. Pilot recieved minor cuts to head.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89649. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo1- Front View of Airplane (item 2, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416022&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo1-%20Front%20View%20of%20Airplane%20-Master.PDF
- Photo2- Front View of Airplane Inverted (item 3, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo2-%20Front%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Inverted-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.

---
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.