25 Mar 2009: Denny Aerocraft Kitfox III — Robert M McGregor

25 Mar 2009: Denny Aerocraft Kitfox III — Robert M McGregor

No fatalities • Oakdale, CA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot noted prior to departure that the winds were about the same as when he landed about 30 minutes earlier. He was departing on runway 28, and the winds were from 320 degrees at 10 knots with light gusts. About 5 feet above ground level after liftoff, the airplane suddenly veered to the left and down into a bowl-shaped depression adjacent to the runway. He recovered to unstable level slow flight just inside the basin with the runway about 12 feet above and to the right of his position. He was approaching the end of the depression and lowered the flaps 10 degrees as he pulled up on the control stick. The airplane cleared the slope, but then the wind pushed it to the left again. The right main landing gear contacted the ground followed by firm contact with the left main landing gear and tail wheel. The tail bounced on the ground and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to both wings, right flaperon, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • Contributed to outcome
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Response/compensation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 310/13kt, vis 10sm

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