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June 27, 1998 · Zimmerman Kitfox 4-1200 Kitfox 4-1 · N75MZ

Fountain Hills, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fountain Hills, AZ
Aircraft
Zimmerman Kitfox 4-1200 Kitfox 4-1
Tail Number
N75MZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX98LA215

The pilot reported that the windsock on the south end of the airport showed that the wind was coming from a direction of 200 degrees at a velocity of 8-10 mph. After touchdown, a right crosswind caused the aircraft to veer to the right. The pilot reported that he applied full left rudder, right aileron and up elevator, and added power. The aircraft continued to swerve to the right and was weather vaning. The right main tire left the ground and the tail wheel was skipping. As the aircraft departed the right side of the landing area, the right wing contacted a tree and the landing gear and left wing tip impacted a berm along the edge of the landing area. The aircraft flipped over inverted and continued to slide about 20 feet down to the bottom of the ravine on the edge of the runway. The pilot further reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll in a crosswind.

Full Narrative

On June 27, 1998, at 1500 hours mountain standard time, a Zimmerman Kitfox 4-1200, N75MZ, ground looped on landing at the private Goldfield Ranch Airport, Fountain Hills, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. The personal flight originated at the Mesa, Arizona, airport about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the windsock on the south end of the airport showed the wind was coming from a direction of 200 degrees at a velocity of 8-10 mph. After touchdown on runway 18, a right crosswind gust caused the aircraft to veer to the right. The pilot reported that he applied full left rudder, right aileron and up elevator, and added power. He reported that the aircraft continued to swerve to the right and was weather vaning. The right main tire left the ground and the tail wheel was skipping. As the aircraft departed the right side of the landing area, the right wing contacted a tree and the landing gear and left wing tip impacted a berm along the edge of the landing area. The aircraft flipped over inverted and continued to slide about 20 feet down to the bottom of the ravine on the edge of the runway. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 MST
Nearest AirportGoldfield Ranch (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZimmerman Kitfox 4-1200 Kitfox 4-1
Tail NumberN75MZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582-DCD1 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data