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NTSB Report

July 6, 2005 · Wagner Kitfox II · N16AF

Albion, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 6, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Albion, NY
Aircraft
Wagner Kitfox II
Tail Number
N16AF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC05CA115

While performing high-speed taxi runs on the turf runway, the pilot elected to conduct a few "crow hops." After applying full power, the airplane became airborne, and suddenly turned to the right and descended to the ground. The pilot stated that he "considered his inexperience with the airplane was a major cause of the accident," and reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot had no previous experience in the accident airplane make and model.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control after inadvertently taking off while conducting high-speed taxi runs. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.

Full Narrative

On July 6, 2005, at 1210 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Kitfox II, N16AF, was substantially damaged during high-speed taxi at the Gaines Valley Airport (GVA), Albion, New York. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Gainesville, Georgia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, a flight instructor had test flown the airplane approximately 6 days prior to the accident flight, and noted that the airplane flew satisfactory, with no abnormalities noted. Due to time constraints, the flight instructor was unable to fly with the pilot, and suggested that the pilot perform some solo high-speed taxi runs to get a feel for the airplane since he had never flown it. On the day of the accident, the pilot elected to conduct a few "crow hops" while taxiing the airplane on the turf runway. After applying full power, the airplane became airborne, and suddenly turned to the right and descended to the ground. The pilot also stated that he "considered his inexperience with the airplane was a major cause of the accident." According to a NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted by the pilot, he had no experience in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 EDT
Nearest AirportGaines Valley Airport (0nm)
Runway09
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width90 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWagner Kitfox II
Tail NumberN16AF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 62
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 80 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data