Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

September 26, 1998 · Hundere Kitfox II · N8114H

Somerset, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Somerset, TX
Aircraft
Hundere Kitfox II
Tail Number
N8114H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA419

The 97 hour non-instrument rated, private pilot lost control of the tailwheel equipped airplane during takeoff from runway 13. The pilot reported that prior to departure he observed aircraft taking off and landing to the north and to the south. He then observed the wind sock in the 'calm' position, and taxied the airplane to the approach end of runway 13 for takeoff. During the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a gust of wind from 120 degrees, which 'lifted the airplane off the ground prematurely.' The airplane 'stalled;' subsequently, the left wing contacted the ground first and the airplane ground looped. After the accident occurred the pilot determined that the windsock had been stuck against its support pole and was not providing an accurate indication of wind speed and direction. The pilot stated that the wind was from 120 degrees at 8 knots gusting to 15 knots at the time of the time of the accident. Additionally, the pilot had accumulated a total of 7.7 hours in the airplane at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent stall. Factors were the wind sock that was displaying inaccurate information, the gusty wind condition, and the pilot's lack of experience in the tailwheel equipped airplane.

Full Narrative

On September 26, 1998, at 1400 central daylight time, a Hundere Kitfox II amateur built experimental airplane, N8114H, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from the Cannon Field Airport, Somerset, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 97 hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the preflight inspection and run-up did not reveal any anomalies. The pilot stated that prior to departure he observed aircraft taking off and landing to the north and to the south. He then observed the windsock in the "calm" position and taxied the airplane to the approach end of runway 13 for takeoff. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll from the 2,880 foot turf runway, the tailwheel equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind from 120 degrees, which "lifted the airplane off the ground prematurely." The pilot stated that the airplane attained a height of 10 feet AGL when it "stalled." Subsequently, the left wing contacted the ground first and the airplane ground looped. The airplane came to rest upright, on grassy terrain west of the runway. The pilot reported that after the accident he discovered that the wind sock was caught against its support pole; consequently, the wind sock was displaying an inaccurate reading of wind speed and direction. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident the winds were from 120 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot stated that he had accumulated a total of 7.7 hours in the airplane at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing spar, left wing strut, and fuselage sustained structural damage. Additionally, the pilot reported that the left wing flaperon separated from the airplane and the rudder was damaged.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportCannon Field (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length2880 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHundere Kitfox II
Tail NumberN8114H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBombardier · ROTAX 532 · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 8 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data