SOMERSET, TX, USA
N8114H
HUNDERE KITFOX II
The 97 hour non-instrument rated, private pilot lost control of the tailwheel equipped airplane during takeoff from runway 13. The pilot reported that prior to departure he observed aircraft taking off and landing to the north and to the south. He then observed the wind sock in the 'calm' position, and taxied the airplane to the approach end of runway 13 for takeoff. During the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a gust of wind from 120 degrees, which 'lifted the airplane off the ground prematurely.' The airplane 'stalled;' subsequently, the left wing contacted the ground first and the airplane ground looped. After the accident occurred the pilot determined that the windsock had been stuck against its support pole and was not providing an accurate indication of wind speed and direction. The pilot stated that the wind was from 120 degrees at 8 knots gusting to 15 knots at the time of the time of the accident. Additionally, the pilot had accumulated a total of 7.7 hours in the airplane at the time of the accident.
On September 26, 1998, at 1400 central daylight time, a Hundere Kitfox II amateur built experimental airplane, N8114H, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from the Cannon Field Airport, Somerset, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 97 hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the preflight inspection and run-up did not reveal any anomalies. The pilot stated that prior to departure he observed aircraft taking off and landing to the north and to the south. He then observed the windsock in the "calm" position and taxied the airplane to the approach end of runway 13 for takeoff. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll from the 2,880 foot turf runway, the tailwheel equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind from 120 degrees, which "lifted the airplane off the ground prematurely." The pilot stated that the airplane attained a height of 10 feet AGL when it "stalled." Subsequently, the left wing contacted the ground first and the airplane ground looped. The airplane came to rest upright, on grassy terrain west of the runway. The pilot reported that after the accident he discovered that the wind sock was caught against its support pole; consequently, the wind sock was displaying an inaccurate reading of wind speed and direction. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident the winds were from 120 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot stated that he had accumulated a total of 7.7 hours in the airplane at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing spar, left wing strut, and fuselage sustained structural damage. Additionally, the pilot reported that the left wing flaperon separated from the airplane and the rudder was damaged.
The pilot's inadvertent stall. Factors were the wind sock that was displaying inaccurate information, the gusty wind condition, and the pilot's lack of experience in the tailwheel equipped airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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