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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

August 12, 1989 · Smith Kitfox II · N302RS

Malabar, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Malabar, FL
Aircraft
Smith Kitfox II
Tail Number
N302RS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA217

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF ON THE ACFT'S 1ST FLT, IT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, STALLED & CRASHED ABOUT 100 YDS FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT WAS RPRTD TO HAVE SAID THAT 'THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT DOWNWARD ELEVATOR TRAVEL AND THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WAS PAST THE NEGATIVE LIMITS.' THE ACFT DESIGNER RPRTD THAT THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE WING TWIST WAS FOUND TO BE 1.88 DEG PER 13.5 FT VERSUS THE SPECIFIED WING TWIST OF 3.65 DEG. THE DOWNWARD DEFLECTION OF THE ELEVATOR WAS MEASURED TO BE 28.2 DEGREES VERSUS THE DESIGNED 25 DEGREES. THE C.G. WAS RPRTD TO BE WITHIN LIMITS.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF ON THE ACFT'S 1ST FLT, IT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, STALLED & CRASHED ABOUT 100 YDS FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT WAS RPRTD TO HAVE SAID THAT 'THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT DOWNWARD ELEVATOR TRAVEL AND THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WAS PAST THE NEGATIVE LIMITS.' THE ACFT DESIGNER RPRTD THAT THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE WING TWIST WAS FOUND TO BE 1.88 DEG PER 13.5 FT VERSUS THE SPECIFIED WING TWIST OF 3.65 DEG. THE DOWNWARD DEFLECTION OF THE ELEVATOR WAS MEASURED TO BE 28.2 DEGREES VERSUS THE DESIGNED 25 DEGREES. THE C.G. WAS RPRTD TO BE WITHIN LIMITS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest AirportVALKARIA (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSmith Kitfox II
Tail NumberN302RS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532LC · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:54
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data