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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

September 14, 2003 · Simoneau Kitfox Classic IV · N10224

Limington, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Limington, ME
Aircraft
Simoneau Kitfox Classic IV
Tail Number
N10224
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA210

The homebuilt tail-wheeled airplane was landing on a 2,973-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot reported that during the flare, the airplane's nose pitched up and he continued to a 3-point landing. The tail-wheel and main landing gear came down "rather hard," and the right main landing gear failed. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and struck trees. The accident flight was the airplane's first flight after being assembled. Examination of the airplane did not revealed any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot reported about 140 hours of total flight experience, which included 1.7 hours in make and model.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model.

Full Narrative

On September 14, 2003, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Kitfox Classic IV, N10224, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Limington-Harmon Airport, Limington, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was on approach to Runway 11, a 2,973-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. In a written statement, the pilot said that the approach was normal. During the flare, the airplane's nose pitched up and he continued to a 3-point landing. The tail-wheel and main landing gear came down "rather hard," and the right main landing gear failed. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and struck trees. The accident flight was the airplane's first flight after being assembled. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not revealed any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot reported about 140 hours of total flight experience, which included 1.7 hours in make and model. Winds reported at an airport located about 20 miles east-southeast of the accident site, at 1051, were variable at 3 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest AirportLimington-Harmon (0nm N)
Runway11
Runway Length2973 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSimoneau Kitfox Classic IV
Tail NumberN10224
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.34 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data