# NTSB WPR24LA027: Kitfox S5, N88VJ, Ririe, ID, November 4, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 4, 2023, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Ririe, ID · Tall grass and rocks - Coordinates: 43.48488, -111.76102 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4849&lon=-111.7610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193355/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193355 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA027 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent excessive use of brakes which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane intended to spend the day practicing takeoffs and landings at multiple remote backcountry sites with a group of three other similar airplanes. He practiced at the original departure airport before the other group arrived and reported that those flights were nominal. The group then departed for the first intended destination, which was a flat landing site surrounded by tall grass and brush. Those landings were uneventful, so the group decided to proceed to another close landing spot. This landing area appeared wider and flatter than the previous, however the grass was taller and thicker, such that the ground was obscured. The first airplane landed uneventfully, and the accident pilot decided that rather than landing he would perform a touch-and-go, with the wheels touching the grass so he could assess the conditions. As the pilot began to flare the airplane, he decided that it was safe to proceed with a full-stop landing. As the wheels touched the ground, it became apparent that the surface was much rougher than he anticipated, and the airplane bounced after the main wheels touched two large rocks 200 ft into the ground roll. The pilot retracted the flaperons and as the airplane decelerated the nose began to drop, even though he was holding the control stick full aft. The pilot stated that he was likely inadvertently applying brake pressure as he pushed against the rudder pedals to pull back further on the control stick, and that this may have exacerbated the pitch down motion. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage to both wing struts and multiple wing ribs. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88VJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88VJ), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KITFOX S5 - Registry model: [Jacko Victor W KITFOX SERIES 5](https://openairdocs.org/model/jacko-victor-w-kitfox-series-5) (registry code 05613J0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 938 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 17, 2023, 132.9 hours before - Departed: U56, Rigby, ID - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 248.8 total, 144.1 in this make and model, 137.3 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 28.1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KIDA, 13 nm away - METAR: KIDA 041953Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 11/04 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP225 T01060044 ## 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 20231104017719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231104017719A), Nov 4, 2023: Jacko Victor W KITFOX SERIES 5, Rigby, ID, Substantial damage. On novemebr 4, 2023 an experimental Kitfox was substantially damaged as the pilot was practicing off airport landings. During the last landing attempt, the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193355. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16376171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16375791&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.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.