Kral SERIES 5 KITFOX N97GK

Summary

On 3 February 2008 at about 13:30 local time, a Kral SERIES 5 KITFOX registered N97GK was involved in an accident near Fruitland Park, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 February 2008 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fruitland Park, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Flying Palomino Ranch Airport (5FA1)

Coordinates

28.8781, -81.9408

Aircraft

Kral SERIES 5 KITFOX

Registration

N97GK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ocala → Fruitland Park

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC08CA092

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility due to sunglare and haze.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amateur built Series 5 Kitfox, approached the private grass airstrip from the northwest, and set up for a straight-in approach to runway 09. During the final leg of the approach, the visibility was "slightly restricted" due to the morning sunlight coming from the east and haze. About 1/2 mile from the runway, the airplane encountered a slight downdraft, so the pilot increased engine power. About that time, the airplane's tailwheel struck an unmarked transmission wire about 150 feet above the ground. The airplane then pitched down, impacted the ground, caught fire, and was destroyed. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated in part, "[have] more altitude on final approach."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.