On 22 May 2015, a SMITH VILAS KITFOX II operated by GARY R. NALLEY was involved in an aviation accident near McLeansboro, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain attitude control during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of training and experience in this airplane make and model. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
During a three-point landing roll, the pilot failed to hold the stick back, applied brakes, and the airplane nosed down. The pilot reported this was his first flight in that make and model with no prior training. Substantial damage occurred to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.
Accident Details
During the landing roll of a three-point landing, the pilot reported he failed to hold the stick all the way back. He then applied the brakes, causing the airplane to nose down. The forward momentum led the pilot to apply the brakes harder.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that this was his first flight in that particular make and model of airplane. He further noted that he had not received any training in the airplane prior to the flight. According to the pilot, there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder as a result of the nose-down event.