Pilot Debrief

SKYSTAR KITFOX near Williamston, MI — 2019-11-30

Final reportCEN20CA027
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Date
2019-11-30
Location
Williamston, MI, USA
Aircraft
SKYSTAR KITFOX
Registration
N58CD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to continue taxiing the airplane on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he landed the airplane on a harvested field in an area that he had walked the day before. When he attempted to take off from a different location than the previous landing, the airplane encountered high wheel resistance due to the soft, wet ground, and he aborted the takeoff. The pilot stated that he had not walked or inspected the area where the takeoff attempt was conducted. While attempting to taxi to the previous landing location, dirt and mud collected on the main landing gear (MLG) between the MLG leg and the tire, which caused the wheel to lock up as if the brakes had been applied. The pilot attempted to reduce engine power, but the airplane slowly nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical tail. The pilot reported that there was no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions of the braking system and that the tires stopped rotating due to the dirt and mud between the MLG leg and the tire.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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