CONCORD, NC, USA
N582KF
SHERMAN POWELL KITFOX IV
The pilot-in-command who is a CFI was seated in the right front seat and the airplane owner who was previously tailwheel trained was seated in the left front seat. The PIC had never before the accident flight flown the accident make and model airplane. The airplane owner was required by insurance requirements to receive dual instruction. The owner performed the first takeoff with an uneventful full-stop landing. The second takeoff attempt was performed with the PIC manipulating the flight controls and the owner manipulating the throttle control. During the takeoff roll after the tail was raised the airplane began to yaw to the left. The PIC attempted to correct with right rudder and the airplane subsequently became airborne then touched down first with the right main landing gear followed by the right wing tip. The airplane ground looped and came to rest upright. The PIC stated that after the airplane came to rest the throttle was fully open. He further stated that the accident would not have occurred if he was manipulating the throttle control.
On June 21, 1997, about 0940 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Kitfox IV, N582KF, registered to a private individual, experienced a loss of control during takeoff from the Concord Regional Airport, Concord, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and private-rated passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The airplane owner was previously trained to fly tailwheel equipped airplanes but his insurance required dual instruction in the make and model. The certified flight instructor (CFI/PIC) who was seated in the right seat stated he had not before the accident flight flown the accident make and model airplane. The airplane owner stated that he performed the first takeoff, remained in the traffic pattern and performed a full-top landing. During the second takeoff the CFI/PIC was manipulating the flight controls and at this request, the dual student was manipulating the throttle control. Power was applied to takeoff and the airplane began rolling down the runway centerline. After the tail was raised the airplane yawed to the left then became airborne momentarily. The CFI/PIC applied right rudder to correct but the airplane then touched down first on the right main landing gear and the right wing tip then contacted the runway. The airplane then ground looped and came to rest upright. The CFI/PIC further stated that after the airplane came to rest full throttle was still applied and the accident would not have occurred if he was manipulating all controls.
Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control and his poor preflight planning preparation for allowing the pilot rated passenger to manipulate the throttle control. Contributing to the accident was the pilots total lack of experience in make and model.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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