Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Kitfox Series 6, N993JK: Accident occurred August 08, 2017 at Reno/Stead Airport (KRTS), Washoe County, Nevada

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N993JK

Location: Reno, NV
Accident Number: GAA17CA478
Date & Time: 08/08/2017, 1220 PDT
Registration: N993JK
Aircraft: KING JOHN E JR KITFOX
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental, amateur-built airplane, he attempted to land in shifting wind conditions. He reported that, during the landing flare on runway 8, a wind gust from the south caused the right wing to rise. He reported that he made the approach with full flaps applied and about 60 knots airspeed and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed with a left sideload. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then veered to the left and sustained substantial damage to the lower left side of the fuselage.

The pilot reported that he "knew the winds were swirling and should have taken another look at it or found another runway for the newer developing wind conditions."

METARs at the accident airport are issued about every 20 minutes. Ten minutes before the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 080° at 6 knots. About 10 minutes after the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 140° at 5 knots.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in variable wind conditions.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Variable wind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Other weather encounter
Attempted remediation/recovery
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, he attempted to land in shifting wind conditions.

He reported that during the landing flare on runway 8, a wind gust from the south caused his right wing to rise. He reported that he made the approach with full flaps applied and about 60kts airspeed, and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed with a left side load. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then veered to the left and sustained substantial damage to the lower left side of the fuselage.

The pilot reported that, "I knew the winds were swirling and should have taken another look at it or found another runway for the newer developing wind conditions."

METARs at the accident airport are issued about 20 minutes apart. 10 minutes prior to the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 080° at 6kts. About 10 minutes after the accident the METAR indicated that the wind was from 140° at 5kts.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information


Certificate: Private
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/02/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/05/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 209 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model), 209 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 55 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: KING JOHN E JR
Registration: N993JK
Model/Series: KITFOX SERIES 6
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: S6004-024
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/20/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 824 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912-ULS
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan


Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RTS, 5026 ft msl
Observation Time: 0710 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 98°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 11°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots, 240°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Reno, NV (RTS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Reno, NV (RTS)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0800 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information


Airport: RENO/STEAD (RTS)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5050 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 08
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:  7608 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information


Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage:  Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  39.668056, -119.876389 (est) Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N993JK

Location: Reno, NV
Accident Number: GAA17CA478
Date & Time: 08/08/2017, 1220 PDT
Registration: N993JK
Aircraft: KING JOHN E JR KITFOX
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, he attempted to land in shifting wind conditions.

He reported that during the landing flare on runway 8, a wind gust from the south caused his right wing to rise. He reported that he made the approach with full flaps applied and about 60kts airspeed, and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed with a left side load. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then veered to the left and sustained substantial damage to the lower left side of the fuselage.

The pilot reported that, "I knew the winds were swirling and should have taken another look at it or found another runway for the newer developing wind conditions."

METARs at the accident airport are issued about 20 minutes apart. 10 minutes prior to the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 080° at 6kts. About 10 minutes after the accident the METAR indicated that the wind was from 140° at 5kts.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information


Certificate: Private
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/02/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/05/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 209 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model), 209 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 55 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: KING JOHN E JR
Registration: N993JK
Model/Series: KITFOX SERIES 6
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: S6004-024
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/20/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 824 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912-ULS
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan


Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RTS, 5026 ft msl
Observation Time: 0710 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 98°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 11°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots, 240°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Reno, NV (RTS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Reno, NV (RTS)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0800 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information


Airport: RENO/STEAD (RTS)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5050 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 08
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:  7608 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information


Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage:  Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  39.668056, -119.876389 (est)

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