Summary
On August 11, 2007, a Mapes Kitfox V (N422NL) was involved in an accident near Silverdale, WA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent to terrain impact.
The pilot reported that on takeoff, about 30 feet agl and with an indicated airspeed of 54 mph, the airplane rolled left. "Full right stick did not immediately level the wings and the nose dropped thru horizontal." The airplane struck the ground "immediately west of the runway in a nearly flat attitude." The pilot commented that "a higher airspeed during climb out may have provided enough control authority to overcome the wind-induced left roll." The pilot reported the wind direction as variable, the wind speed as light and variable, and no wind gusts.
This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA07CA227. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N422NL.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent to terrain impact.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that on takeoff, about 30 feet agl and with an indicated airspeed of 54 mph, the airplane rolled left. "Full right stick did not immediately level the wings and the nose dropped thru horizontal." The airplane struck the ground "immediately west of the runway in a nearly flat attitude." The pilot commented that "a higher airspeed during climb out may have provided enough control authority to overcome the wind-induced left roll." The pilot reported the wind direction as variable, the wind speed as light and variable, and no wind gusts.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA07CA227