Friday, October 15, 2021

Denney Kitfox IV, N9259M: Accident occurred October 14, 2021 near North Canaan Aviation Facilities Inc Airport (CT24), Litchfield County, Connecticut

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Bradley, Connecticut


Location: North Canaan, Connecticut 
Accident Number: ERA22LA016
Date and Time: October 14, 2021, 17:22 Local
Registration: N9259M
Aircraft: Kitfox IV 
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 14, 2021, about 1722 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur built Kitfox IV airplane, N9259M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near North Canaan, Connecticut. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that traveled to the accident site, the pilot had departed for a roundtrip flight from North Canaan Airport (CT24), North Canaan, Connecticut to Walter J Koladza Airport (GBR), Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Upon the return at CT24, the pilot completed a few touch-and-go landings from runway 21 and on the initial climb the engine began to run rough and lose power. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees south of the airport and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude.

Photographs revealed that the airplane came to rest in wooded terrain partially submerged in a creek, with the tail nearly vertical and the engine submerged below the terrain and water. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. There was a smell consistent with fuel at the accident site.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Kitfox
Registration: N9259M
Model/Series: IV NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPSF,1194 ft msl
Observation Time: 17:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 24 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 320°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Great Barrington, MA (GBR)
Destination: North Canaan, CT

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious 
Latitude, Longitude: 42.036786,-73.342561

3 comments:

  1. According to News reports; The pilot was the sole occupant on-board. He was able to extricate himself from the wreck (with assistance of a nearby witness). He was then taken to hospital with "serious injuries". The accident happened just a little beyond the end of a grass runway. Ne mention whether it was the approach end, or the departure end of the runway.

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    1. "The accident happened just a little beyond the end of a grass runway. Ne mention whether it was the approach end, or the departure end of the runway."

      A little past the runway? Looks to me like he dropped down right in the middle of a forest! Amazing he was able to survive this nose in crash.

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    2. Prelim says lost power climbing out from a touch&go.

      https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104104/pdf

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