Pilot Debrief

JAMES R DERNOVSEK KITFOX near Woodsfield, OH — 2022-12-05

Final reportERA23LA080
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Date
2022-12-05
Location
Woodsfield, OH, USA
Airport
4G5
Aircraft
JAMES R DERNOVSEK KITFOX
Registration
N257ED
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after touchdown, the airspeed decreased, and the tailwheel settled onto the runway. He applied brakes and recalled the airplane’s nose pulled to the left about 20 or 30 degrees. He applied right rudder and right brake to correct the direction, but the airplane exited the runway to the left, traveled up a berm and became airborne. The right wing then impacted terrain and rotated the airplane 180 degrees, before it came to rest on the main landing gear. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The inspector examined the airplane’s brakes and found that both functioned normally. He also examined the tires and saw that neither exhibited flat spots and that the tire marks on the runway appeared to be from a rolling (and not skidding) right tire. Based on this information, it is likely that the pilot lost directional control of the airplane during the landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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