Albion, NY, USA
N16AF
Wagner Kitfox II
While performing high-speed taxi runs on the turf runway, the pilot elected to conduct a few "crow hops." After applying full power, the airplane became airborne, and suddenly turned to the right and descended to the ground. The pilot stated that he "considered his inexperience with the airplane was a major cause of the accident," and reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot had no previous experience in the accident airplane make and model.
On July 6, 2005, at 1210 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Kitfox II, N16AF, was substantially damaged during high-speed taxi at the Gaines Valley Airport (GVA), Albion, New York. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Gainesville, Georgia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, a flight instructor had test flown the airplane approximately 6 days prior to the accident flight, and noted that the airplane flew satisfactory, with no abnormalities noted. Due to time constraints, the flight instructor was unable to fly with the pilot, and suggested that the pilot perform some solo high-speed taxi runs to get a feel for the airplane since he had never flown it. On the day of the accident, the pilot elected to conduct a few "crow hops" while taxiing the airplane on the turf runway. After applying full power, the airplane became airborne, and suddenly turned to the right and descended to the ground. The pilot also stated that he "considered his inexperience with the airplane was a major cause of the accident." According to a NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted by the pilot, he had no experience in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane.
The pilot's loss of airplane control after inadvertently taking off while conducting high-speed taxi runs. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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