Volin KITFOX CLASSIC IV N4374K

Summary

On 4 March 2011 at about 21:17 local time, a Volin KITFOX CLASSIC IV registered N4374K was involved in an accident near Myrtle Creek, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 March 2011 at 21:17

Classification

Accident

Location

Myrtle Creek, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Myrtle Creek Municipal Airport (16S)

Coordinates

41.9972, -123.3153

Aircraft

Volin KITFOX CLASSIC IV

Registration

N4374K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Myrtle Creek → North Bend

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11FA153

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's encounter with a windshear/downdraft that exceeded the climb performance capabilities of the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that while taxiing to the runway run-up area, he observed the windsock aligned with his intended departure runway. Following an uneventful engine run up, the pilot taxied onto the runway and observed the windsock shift direction momentarily to indicate about a 90 degree crosswind, and then realign with the runway. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll, and the airplane lifted off normally. During the initial climb, the pilot scanned all of the flight instruments, noting a positive climb rate. Shortly thereafter, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left, rolling the airplane about 90 degrees to the right. The pilot leveled the wings and felt the airplane descending. Despite the pilot's attempts to arrest the descent, the airplane continued to descend. Subsequently, the airplane struck several small trees and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of recorded weather data from a weather station near the accident site revealed wind from 170 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 19 knots about 24 minutes before the accident. About 36 minutes after the accident, the wind was recorded from 180 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 26 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.