Kitfox SERIES 6 N617Y

Summary

On 20 June 2021 at about 16:00 local time, a Kitfox SERIES 6 registered N617Y was involved in an accident near Likely, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 June 2021 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Likely, California, United States

Coordinates

41.2493, -120.5313

Aircraft

Kitfox SERIES 6

Registration

N617Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

2003

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Alturas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21FA232

1 person died.

The pilot’s poor decision making in attempting a takeoff from a field with high vegetation and a high-density altitude, which resulted in decreased takeoff performance and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses located near the accident site reported that the pilot attempted to take off from the field on a westerly heading; however, it appeared that the airplane could not attain adequate speed to get off the ground. The witnesses heard the engine sound decrease and watched the pilot turn the airplane 180° and initiate a second takeoff, this time to the east. The airplane became airborne about 20 yards from a canal road and climbed to about 10 to 20 ft above the ground. As the airplane approached the canal, it began to descend and impacted the upper eastern edge of the canal, spun around, and slid down into the water. The pilot had no recollection of the accident sequence. Examination revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation, and damage signatures and witness accounts indicated that the engine was producing power at the time of the accident. The departure field, which was about 1,150 ft long, comprised rough terrain with vegetation about 2 to 3 ft in height. The calculated density altitude about the time of the accident was 6,635 ft, with a pressure altitude of 4,297 ft. The height of the vegetation most likely increased resistance on the tires during the takeoff roll, which reduced the airplane’s acceleration. Coupled with the high-density altitude conditions, it is likely that the airplane’s required takeoff distance exceeded the field length available, which resulted in impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.