Nose Over: Kitfox Classic IV, N111YT; accident occurred February 28, 2019 in Floodwood, Saint Louis County, Minnesota

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

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


https://registry.faa.gov/N111YT

Location: Floodwood, MN
Accident Number: GAA19CA154
Date & Time: 02/28/2019, 1335 CST
Registration: N111YT
Aircraft: Denney KITFOX MDL CLASSICIV
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing in a crosswind, he planned to touch down 2 ft past the beginning of the compacted snow-covered, private airstrip. He added that, "in order to perform [the short field landing, he] chose to ride the tires just over the terrain until touchdown". After the front main landing gear touched down, a "gust of wind" picked up the right-side wing, the left tire sank in the snow, and the airplane decelerated and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were not preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported the wind at the accident location, about the time of the accident as wind 230° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot was landing to the southwest, heading 210°.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 35, 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 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/23/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/28/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 233 hours (Total, all aircraft), 111 hours (Total, this make and model), 233 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Denney
Registration: N111YT
Model/Series: KITFOX MDL CLASSICIV IV1200
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: C97070196
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/22/2018, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 528.9 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 912UL
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 80 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: KCOQ, 1279 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 21 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1321 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 141°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 8000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 220°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -22°C / -24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Cloquet, MN (COQ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Floodwood, MN (PVT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1315 CST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: PVT (PVT)
Runway Surface Type: Snow
Airport Elevation:  1223 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Snow
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1300 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in 

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:  46.976944, -92.830000 (est)