Pilot Debrief

MCHUGH TONY KITFOX MODEL 1 near Montrose, PA — 2015-08-07

Final reportERA15FA298
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Date
2015-08-07
Location
Montrose, PA, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
MCHUGH TONY KITFOX MODEL 1
Registration
N428YT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot/owner of the experimental amateur-built airplane was attempting to land on the 431-ft-long grass airstrip for the first time. According to a witness, before the accident, the pilot had flown three practice approaches without landing. The witness reported that, during the fourth approach, the airplane entered a steep-bank-angle turn onto final approach and then "went straight down" to ground impact. The airplane came to rest on its nose, and a fire erupted. The witness' description of the event and the impact geometry are consistent with the pilot conducting a steep turn that resulted in the wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach after initial practice attempts.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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