Pilot Debrief

Denney KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER near Page, AZ — 2019-02-08

Final reportGAA19CA133
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Date
2019-02-08
Location
Page, AZ, USA
Aircraft
Denney KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER
Registration
N995BW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during the landing flare, which resulted in the left wing striking a tree.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while en route, he observed that his passenger was becoming ill, and he reached for the "sick bags," but he was unable to reach them due to his seat belt. He decided to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road. The pilot added that, during the landing flare, a wind gust "pushed the right wing up," the airplane drifted left, and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane rotated counterclockwise and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from an unknown direction at 8 to 14 knots, gusting to 14 to 16 knots. An automated weather observation station located about 12 miles from the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane to the south.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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