SKYSTAR KITFOX

Williamston, MI — November 30, 2019

Event Information

DateNovember 30, 2019
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberCEN20CA027
Event ID20191203X02852
LocationWilliamston, MI
CountryUSA
Coordinates42.68611, -84.31306
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeSKYSTAR
ModelKITFOX
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

The private pilot landed the tailwheel equipped airplane on a harvested farm field near his father's house. He said that the landing was made to an area that he had walked the day before. When he attempted to takeoff, in a different location than the previous landing, he encountered high wheel resistance due to the soft wet ground and aborted the takeoff. The pilot stated that he had not walked or inspected the area where this takeoff attempt was conducted. While attempting to taxi to the previous landing location, dirt and mud collected on the landing gear between the main landing gear leg and the tire causing 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 resulting in damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical tail. In a telephone conversation the pilot he confirmed that there was no mechanical failure of the braking system and that the tires stopped rotating due to the dirt and mud between the gear leg and the tire/wheel.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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