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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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July 3, 2014 · Wiley Kitfox IV · N5KW

Sprague, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Sprague, WA
Aircraft
Wiley Kitfox IV (1994)
Tail Number
N5KW
Operator
Walker Mark L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR14CA279

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice taxiing in his recently purchased airplane. While taxiing, the airplane unintentionally became airborne and the pilot decided that in an effort to not collide with an electric fence ahead, he would need to add full power and fly the airplane in a traffic pattern to come back and land. Despite being aware of a powerline in the area, the pilot collided with it during his third landing attempt. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines during the landing approach resulting in a collision.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice taxiing in his recently purchased airplane. While taxiing, the airplane unintentionally became airborne which the pilot accredited to a combination of a weather inversion, vortex generators, and a three-blade propeller which produced enough lift at a slow groundspeed. The pilot decided that in an effort to not collide with an electric fence ahead, he would need to add full power and fly the airplane in a traffic pattern to come back and land. The pilot maneuvered to land on his grass strip and aborted the landing after assessing that the terrain would not be suitable. He maneuvered to an area about 0.5 miles away knowing that the terrain would be flat and adequate length. He was familiar with the area and knew that powerlines ran perpendicular to his flight path. During the approach, he again elected to go-around and configured the airplane for his third attempt to land. While on the final approach, the pilot reduced the power and the airplane rapidly lost altitude, resulting in a collision with the powerlines and collision with the ground. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWiley Kitfox IV
Tail NumberN5KW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWalker Mark L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 UL · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter27.55 inHg

Appendix: Source Data