
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Accident Number: WPR22LA108
Date and Time: February 19, 2022, 17:20 Local
Registration: N1248
Aircraft: Kitfox S7
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing, the airplane touched down on the asphalt runway and bounced. The airplane veered left and exited the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to forward left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Findings
Aircraft Landing flare - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Runway excursion
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Flight engineer; Private
Age: 73, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Sport pilot With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 5, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 14435 hours (Total, all aircraft), 42.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 10672 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21.6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Kitfox
Registration: N1248
Model/Series: S7 SS
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2018
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental light sport (Special)
Serial Number: KA18066364
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 8, 2021 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 0 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 912 ULS
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 155 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDVT, 1455 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 17:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 123°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / -8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Buckeye, AZ (BXK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Phoenix, AZ
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 17:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: PHOENIX DEER VALLEY DVT
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1478 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 7R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8196 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.688306,-112.08255 (est)
I remember seeing this plane at the fly-in that day, even have a video of it taxiing out of the show plane area. Pretty plane, unfortunate what happened but glad the pilot wasn't badly injured. Smart to try and convert it to tricycle gear
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