Low altitude flight kills pilot

This May 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Kitfox. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Apple Valley, Calif. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.

What reportedly happened: According to the pilot/mechanic who performed the annual inspection on the airplane about a month before the accident, the pilot was uneasy about flying the airplane alone after the inspection since he had not flown the airplane recently. His wife reported that he had logged about 550 hours, including 300 in the Kitfox. Witnesses observed the Kitfox flying low, about 200 to 300 feet above the ground. It banked sharply to the left, stalled, and then spun into the ground.

Due to the damage, investigators were not able to determine if there were any mechanical problems prior to impact. The NTSB was not able to access the pilot’s logbook or the aircraft logbooks during the course of the investigation.

Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons while maneuvering at low altitude.

For more information: NTSB.Gov