Summary
On July 18, 2017, a Salerno Kenneth G Jr KITFOX SERIES 7 (N702KF) was involved in an accident near Owyhee, OR. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. 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 directional control during takeoff from a rough, dirt airstrip.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll on a rough, dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered a "hump" and bounced into the air prematurely. He added that, when the airplane touched back down, one of the tires hit a "rut" and the airplane veered left toward a tall sage brush. He further added that he "didn't correct direction properly" and attempted to rotate the airplane "early" to clear the sage brush, but the airplane's main landing gear impacted the sage brush, which resulted -in a nose over.
The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA424. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N702KF.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a rough, dirt airstrip.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll on a rough, dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered a "hump" and bounced into the air prematurely. He added that, when the airplane touched back down, one of the tires hit a "rut" and the airplane veered left toward a tall sage brush. He further added that he "didn't correct direction properly" and attempted to rotate the airplane "early" to clear the sage brush, but the airplane's main landing gear impacted the sage brush, which resulted -in a nose over.
The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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# GAA17CA424