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October 18, 2012 · Albright Stan Kitfox Super Sport · N960WM

Twin Bridges, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Twin Bridges, MT
Aircraft
Albright Stan Kitfox Super Sport
Tail Number
N960WM
Operator
Charles W D Autremont
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR13CA018

The pilot attempted to perform a full-flap soft-field takeoff in the experimental light sport airplane. The pilot had flown about 16 hours in the accident airplane in the 4 months since he purchased it from the airplane builder; however, this was his first attempt at full-flap soft-field takeoff in this airplane. As the airplane left the ground, it rolled abruptly to the right. The right wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled, coming to rest pointing in the opposite direction of intended travel. The right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane's flaperons were misrigged and that the resultant difference in flaperon deflection was more extreme in the full flap position. In the full flap position with a full left control deflection input, the right flaperon moved 3 degrees more and the left flaperon 3 degrees less than they would have if properly rigged. The asymmetric nature of the flaperon deflections induced an adverse yaw to the right despite the pilot's corrective control inputs. Examination of the airplane maintenance logbook revealed that the airplane builder performed the most recent annual airworthiness inspection 4 1/2 months before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane builder’s failure to rig the flight controls correctly, which resulted in a loss of control after takeoff.

Full Narrative

The pilot attempted to perform a full-flap soft-field takeoff in the experimental light sport airplane. The pilot had flown about 16 hours in the accident airplane in the 4 months since he purchased it from the airplane builder; however, this was his first attempted full-flap soft-field takeoff in this airplane. As the airplane left the ground, it rolled abruptly to the right. The right wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled, coming to rest pointing in the opposite direction of intended travel. The right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane's flaperons were misrigged and that the resultant difference in flaperon deflection was more extreme in the full flap position. In the full flap position with a full left control deflection input, the right flaperon moved 3 degrees more and the left flaperon 3 degrees less than they would have if properly rigged. The asymmetric nature of the flaperon deflections induced an adverse yaw to the right despite the pilot's corrective control inputs. Examination of the airplane maintenance logbook revealed that the airplane builder performed the most recent annual airworthiness inspection 4 1/2 months before the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:40 MDT
Nearest AirportTwin Bridges (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAlbright Stan Kitfox Super Sport
Tail NumberN960WM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles W D Autremont
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912UL · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 21 C
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data