Lampman KITFOX IV N92NL

Summary

On 6 February 1994 at about 23:26 local time, a Lampman KITFOX IV registered N92NL, operated by Keith W. Vinzant, was involved in an accident near Banning, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 February 1994 at 23:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Banning, California, United States

Coordinates

33.9510, -116.8308

Aircraft

Lampman KITFOX IV

Registration

N92NL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Keith W. Vinzant

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX94LA115

2 people died.

1) THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT A LOW LEVEL, AND 2) HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING TO REVERSE DIRECTION IN A BOX CANYON, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL SPIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLY OVER ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE FLOOR OF THE GULLY IN AN UPSLOPE DIRECTION. THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOTICED ON THE GROUND ON THE SIDE OF THE GULLY. FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THE SITE IS IN A BOWL-SHAPED GULLY WITH A DIAMETER OF ABOUT 400 YARDS. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE ROCKY GROUND IN A NEAR-VERTICAL DESCENT ATTITUDE BETWEEN TWO LARGE BOULDERS. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETORS HAD BEEN ADJUSTED TO THE RICHEST POSSIBLE OPERATING CONDITION. NO OTHER SYSTEM ABNORMALITY WAS NOTED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.