Nose Over: Kitfox IV, N58CD: Accident occurred November 30, 2019 in Williamston, Ingham County, Michigan

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Belleville, Michigan

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N58CD

Location: Williamston, Michigan 

Accident Number: CEN20CA027

Date & Time: November 30, 2019, 11:00 Local 

Registration: N58CD

Aircraft: Skystar Kitfox 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Nose over/nose down

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot stated that he landed the airplane on a harvested field in an area that he had walked the day before. When he attempted to take off from a different location than the previous landing, the airplane encountered high wheel resistance due to the soft, wet ground, and he aborted the takeoff. The pilot stated that he had not walked or inspected the area where the takeoff attempt was conducted. While attempting to taxi to the previous landing location, dirt and mud collected on the main landing gear (MLG) between the MLG leg and the tire, which caused the wheel to lock up as if the brakes had been applied. The pilot attempted to reduce engine power, but the airplane slowly nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical tail. The pilot reported that there was no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions of the braking system and that the tires stopped rotating due to the dirt and mud between the MLG leg and the tire.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's improper decision to continue taxiing the airplane on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Environmental issues Soft surface - Effect on operation

Environmental issues Soft surface - Decision related to condition

Factual Information

History of Flight

Taxi Miscellaneous/other

Taxi Attempted remediation/recovery

Taxi Nose over/nose down (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 

Age: 47,Male

Airplane Rating(s): None

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider 

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: May 8, 2018

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time: 75 hours (Total, all aircraft), 15 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Skystar 

Registration: N58CD

Model/Series: Kitfox IV 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1992

Amateur Built: Yes

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)

Serial Number: 1458

Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 28, 2018 Condition 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1050 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 433 Hrs as of last inspection 

Engine Manufacturer: Rotax

ELT: Installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series: 582UL

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 65 Horsepower

Operator: Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: ETW,919 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 88 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 15:55 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 37°

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Visibility: 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1300 ft AGL

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 14 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 90°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -1°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Gregory, MI (69G )

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Williamston, MI

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 10:15 Local

Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude:  42.686111,-84.313056

WHEATFIELD TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WILX) -- Ingham County Deputies responded to an overturned airplane in a field near Zimmer Rd and Jack Pine Drive in Wheatfield Township.

The airplane had flipped while attempting to take flight.

The 47 year old pilot from Williamston was not injured and the plane had very little damage.

There were no passengers.

According to deputies, the field contained ruts and may have impaired the plane from getting airborne.

The FAA was contacted by the Sheriff’s Office.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.wilx.com