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Lack of experience puts Kitfox off runway

By NTSB · June 10, 2014 ·

Aircraft: Kitfox V. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Owenton, Ky. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, was on an instructional flight to obtain a tailwheel endorsement. He reported that the airplane experienced a sudden gust of windjust after liftoff and that he overcorrected, which caused the airplane to stall and settle back onto the runway.

The instructor pilot reported that the pilot abruptly pulled back on the control stick when the airplane accelerated to 50 to 55 mph during the takeoff roll. The airplane climbed about 5 feet above the ground and stalled.

The instructor assumed control of the airplane but could not keep it from veering off the left side of the runway. The CFI had no previous flight experience in the airplane make and model.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to attain the proper airspeed during takeoff, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s lack of previous experience in the airplane make and model.

NTSB Identification: ERA12CA392

This June 2012 accident report is are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Sleepy says

    June 12, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    Some days you get the delayed response detector medical machine, some days the DRDMM gets you.

  2. Tom says

    June 11, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Maybe if they could just “beef up” the third class medical to cover these types of situations, yes?

    Nurse! Nurse! Quick, hook him up to the delayed response detector “medical” machine and test him for delayed response. Can’t have those delayed response instructors out there not monitored by us medical professionals. Don’t let those avionics people fool you into thinking that their expensive ADS-B “radios” can save them. We in the medical industry are the only hope…………………..

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