Whithington KITFOX 1200 N818HW

Summary

On 30 June 1999 at about 02:00 local time, a Whithington KITFOX 1200 registered N818HW was involved in an accident near Caldwell, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 June 1999 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Caldwell, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.6609, -116.6307

Aircraft

Whithington KITFOX 1200

Registration

N818HW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA99LA099

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles along his departure path. Factors include the pilot's incorrect positioning of the flaps prior to takeoff, and a transmission wire and trees along the aircraft's flight path.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to taking off from an open field, the pilot accidentally deployed his flaps further than they should have been for takeoff. With the flaps in the incorrect position, the aircraft's takeoff roll was extended and its rate of climb was decreased. Just after the aircraft became airborne, it became evident to the pilot that it may not clear a power line along his takeoff track. He therefore flew underneath the wire, but failed to clear apple trees that were just beyond the wires. According to the pilot, there was no indication of an engine or flight control malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.