Pilot Debrief

Denny Aerocraft Kitfox III near Oakdale, CA — 2009-03-25

Final reportWPR09CA183
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Date
2009-03-25
Location
Oakdale, CA, USA
Airport
KO27
Aircraft
Denny Aerocraft Kitfox III
Registration
N392JJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot noted prior to departure that the winds were about the same as when he landed about 30 minutes earlier. He was departing on runway 28, and the winds were from 320 degrees at 10 knots with light gusts. About 5 feet above ground level after liftoff, the airplane suddenly veered to the left and down into a bowl-shaped depression adjacent to the runway. He recovered to unstable, but level, slow flight just inside the basin with the runway about 12 feet above and to the right of his position. He was approaching the end of the depression and lowered the flaps 10 degrees as he pulled up on the control stick. The airplane cleared the slope, but then the wind pushed it to the left again. The right main landing gear contacted the ground followed by firm contact with the left main landing gear and tailwheel. The tail bounced on the ground and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to both wings, right flaperon, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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