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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 20, 1995 · Sellors Kitfox IV · N86548

Pasadena, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 20, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Pasadena, MD
Aircraft
Sellors Kitfox IV
Tail Number
N86548
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO96LA025

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS HIGH ON HIS FIRST APPROACH TO THE 1,700 FOOT LONG GRASS RUNWAY, SO HE PERFORMED A GO-AROUND. HE REPORTED THAT THE SECOND ATTEMPT WAS GOOD, BUT DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE AIRPLANE FLOATED, AND TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT MIDFIELD ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED '...I APPLIED BRAKES, BEING MINDFUL OF THE TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY...THE PLANE NOSED OVER AND FLIPPED ON ITS BACK.' ALSO, THE PILOT REPORTED 21.9 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRPLANE, OF WHICH ONLY ABOUT 1 HOUR WAS AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER (ABRUPT) APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCICENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE LANDING, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRPLANE.

Full Narrative

On November 20, 1995, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Sellors Kitfox IV, N86548, piloted by the owner/builder, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at Mountain Road Airport, in Pasadena, Maryland. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Easton, Maryland, approximately 1340. The pilot stated that the airplane was high on final approach during the first attempt to land on the 1,700 foot long grass runway, so he elected to go around. He reported that the approach to landing was better on the second attempt, but during the landing flare the airplane floated down the runway, and touched down about midfield. The pilot stated: "At this point, I applied the brakes, being mindful of the trees at the end of the runway...the plane nosed over and flipped on its back." The pilot stated there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction, and that the accident could have been prevented if he had slipped the airplane during final approach, in order "...to touch down at or near the runway threshold." The pilot reported that he had 138.7 hours total flight time. His written report indicated that he had flown 21.9 hours in the accident make and model airplane, of which 1 hour was as pilot-in-command.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EST
Nearest AirportMountain Road Airport (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length1700 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSellors Kitfox IV
Tail NumberN86548
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBombardier · 582 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data