Summary
On May 24, 2008, a Kitfox IV 1200 (N108KX) was involved in an accident near Flyingbar Ranch, MO. 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 improper decision to takeoff with a quartering tailwind and failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were the gusting tailwind and operating the airplane near maximum gross weight.
The private pilot and non-rated passenger were departing the airfield on runway 24. After becoming airborne they encountered several wind gusts which the pilot said "pushed the plane down and to the left." The float-equipped airplane caught one of the floats in the trees off the departure end of the runway and the airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot was not injured, the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame forward of the cockpit.
The pilot reported that the maximum gross weight for the airplane was 1,200 pounds and the weight at the time of the accident was 1,191 pounds. The pilot stated the winds were variable at ten knots with gusts to 15 knots.
This accident is documented in NTSB report DEN08CA093. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N108KX.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a quartering tailwind and failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were the gusting tailwind and operating the airplane near maximum gross weight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The private pilot and non-rated passenger were departing the airfield on runway 24. After becoming airborne they encountered several wind gusts which the pilot said "pushed the plane down and to the left." The float-equipped airplane caught one of the floats in the trees off the departure end of the runway and the airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot was not injured, the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame forward of the cockpit.
The pilot reported that the maximum gross weight for the airplane was 1,200 pounds and the weight at the time of the accident was 1,191 pounds. The pilot stated the winds were variable at ten knots with gusts to 15 knots. At 1152 Central Daylight Time (CDT), the reported winds at Springfield, MO (KSGF), 8 miles east of the accident site, were 060 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Winds at KSGF at 1252 CDT were 090 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 21 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN08CA093