Hall KITFOX N87TJ

Summary

On 22 February 1997 at about 23:10 local time, a Hall KITFOX registered N87TJ was involved in an accident near Billings, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 February 1997 at 23:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Billings, Montana, United States

Coordinates

45.8709, -108.4697

Aircraft

Hall KITFOX

Registration

N87TJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA062

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain flying airspeed while executing a downwind turn at low altitude immediately following takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had 'monitored the weather at Billings' (located 5 nm south of the crash site). Winds at Billings near the time of the accident were reported as out of the northeast at 13 knots. The pilot further reported that immediately after takeoff to the east he made a slight left turn and then an 'easy right turn at about 100 feet AGL.' The altitude of 100-150 feet was confirmed by a witness. During the crosswind/downwind turn the aircraft descended into the terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.