No fatalities

18 Jan 2020: Denney KITFOX III — Wauchula, FL

Wauchula, FL, United States

On 18 Jan 2020, a Denney KITFOX III was involved in an aviation accident near Wauchula, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

An experimental amateur-built tailwheel airplane veered off runway 36 during a crosswind landing, struck a light, and flipped over, resulting in substantial damage. No mechanical issues were reported.

Accident Details

A pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped experimental amateur-built airplane on runway 36. During the approach, the aircraft touched down, bounced slightly, settled, and then veered off the right side of the runway. It subsequently struck a light, flipped over in the grass, and came to rest inverted.

Damage Assessment

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the fuselage forward of the horizontal stabilizer.

Pilot and Weather Reports

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Regarding wind conditions, the nearest weather reporting station, located 29 miles east of the airport, reported that around the time of the accident the wind was from 110° at 14 knots. However, the pilot reported the wind as from 270° at 8 knots gusting to 14 knots.

Contributing factors

PilotEffect on operationDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedLanding flare — Not attained/maintained