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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

June 2, 1998 · Sheets Kitfox II · N487JS

Greenfield, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 2, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Greenfield, IA
Aircraft
Sheets Kitfox II
Tail Number
N487JS
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI98LA186

The pilot stated that he was using 20-degrees of flaps for takeoff, which is not the normal takeoff configuration, because he was testing a new takeoff technique he had seen in an aviation publication. The piloted stated that the aircraft became airborne, sooner than expected, and drifted to the right of the runway centerline. While the aircraft was drifting across the runway it impacted the ground approximately 30' from the runway centerline. In a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that the accident could of been avoided if he had built up additional airspeed before liftoff and after liftoff kept the aircraft low in ground effect.

NTSB Probable Cause

the initial climb airspeed not obtained/maintained after liftoff by the pilot in command. A factor was the improper compensation for wind conditions by the pilot in command.

Full Narrative

On June 2, 1998, at 1830 central daylight time, a Sheets Kitfox II, N487JS, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain, following a loss of control during takeoff from runway 32 (2500' x 45', dry, asphalt) at the Greenfield Municipal Airport, near Greenfield, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The one passenger reported no injures. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot was attempting a normal takeoff at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was using 20-degrees of flaps for takeoff, which is not the normal takeoff configuration, because he was testing a new takeoff technique he had seen in an aviation publication. The piloted stated that the aircraft became airborne, sooner than expected, and drifted to the right of the runway centerline. While the aircraft was drifting across the runway it impacted the ground approximately 30' from the runway centerline. In a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that the accident could of been avoided if he had built up additional airspeed before liftoff and after liftoff kept the aircraft low in ground effect.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportGreenfield Municipal (1nm NW)
Runway32
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSheets Kitfox II
Tail NumberN487JS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532UL · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data