N35KF

Substantial
None

KELM DAVID KITFOX 7S/N: 570311046

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, December 12, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA16CA085
Location
Tracy, CA
Event ID
20151221X34338
Coordinates
37.678054, -121.301391
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, which resulted in a hard landing, runway excursion and impact with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N35KF
Make
KELM DAVID
Serial Number
570311046
Year Built
2007
Model / ICAO
KITFOX 7

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
DEFORD DAVID L
Address
2143 FOXSWALLOW RD
Status
Deregistered
City
PLEASANTON
State / Zip Code
CA 94566-5550
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that while conducting a touch-and-go landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, he "flared too high, touching down fairly hard." He reported that he attempted to abort the landing, the airplane departed the runway to the left, and the nose of the airplane impacted the ground coming to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA085