PITTSFIELD, MA, USA
N211KF
BINS KITFOX IV
The pilot/co-owner of the homebuilt amphibian airplane was flying a VFR flight from New Jersey to New Hampshire. While en route, the weather began to deteriorate, and the pilot elected to land at an uncontrolled airport in Massachusetts. After a radio call on the airport frequency, the pilot elected to land on runway 26. He estimated the winds were from 180 to 220 degrees at 10 gusting 12 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and nosed over in a 'ravine.' The surface winds at the airport were reported to be from 140 to 360 degrees at 7 to 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The pilot received his en route and forecasted weather from a television station.
On September 28, 1996, at 0905 eastern daylight time, a TOM BINS, Kitfox IV, a homebuilt amphibian, N211KF, was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway during the landing roll at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport (PSF), Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Sussex, New Jersey, about 0830. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot/co-owner stated that he departed Sussex for Laconia, New Hampshire. While en route to Laconia the weather began to deteriorate, and he elected to land at PSF. He further stated: "...Check with UNICOM revealed runway 26 in use, wind 180 to 220 [degrees], 10 gusting 12 [knots]...After landing on 26, during rollout (approx. 30 MPH) wind gust from left forced the aircraft off the right side of runway into grass...nose gear eased into a 'ravine,' causing the aircraft to roll forward coming to rest inverted." The airport manager reported the weather as: "...better than 1,000 to 1,200 msl overcast and 8 to 10 miles visibility, with an approaching cold front. The surface winds at the time of the incident were varying from 140 to 360 degrees at 7 to 10 knots with gusts to 20 plus knots. There were low level windshear advisories for the area and winds aloft at 3,000 feet at 45 [knots] from the northwest." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the airplane's directional controls.
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control, the airplane veering off the runway, and a subsequent nose over. The adverse wind condition and uneven terrain were related factors.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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