Smythe Donald F KITFOX CLASSIC IV N998DS

Summary

On 24 May 2014 at about 15:30 local time, a Smythe Donald F KITFOX CLASSIC IV registered N998DS was involved in an accident near Slaughter, Louisiana, United States. 2 people were 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

24 May 2014 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Slaughter, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

30.7272, -91.1486

Aircraft

Smythe Donald F KITFOX CLASSIC IV

Registration

N998DS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2000

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Slaughter → Slaughter

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14LA251

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his attempt to takeoff in conditions under which the airplane was unable to attain a positive rate of climb and resulted in its failure to clear trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane's normal takeoff roll was about 700 feet; a 3-foot-tall fence was located about 1,000 feet from where the pilot initiated the takeoff, and 60-foot-tall trees were located about 650 feet beyond the fence. During the attempted takeoff from an open field with 8-inch tall grass, the airplane did not seem to have sufficient lift and, although the engine was at full power, the airplane would not climb more than 20 feet above ground level. The airplane cleared the fence, but the pilot then realized that the airplane was not going to be able to clear the 60-foot-tall trees located about 650 feet from the fence. During his attempt to avoid the trees, the right wing contacted the ground, and the airplane subsequently cart-wheeled. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was powered by a 65-horsepower, two-stroke engine. The pilot noted that the airplane was about 100 lbs. under gross weight at the time of the takeoff. A light direct or left quartering tailwind existed during the takeoff, and the calculated density altitude was about 1,400 feet. The combined effects of the tall grass, the limited available engine power, operation near the airplane's maximum gross weight, the light tailwind condition, and the high density altitude likely extended the required ground roll and degraded the airplane's climb performance, which resulted in its inability to climb out of ground effect and clear the trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.