Loss of Control on Ground: Kitfox S7 Super Sport, N1248; accident occurred February 19, 2022 at Deer Valley Airport (KDVT), Phoenix, Arizona

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N1248

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)