Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV N788KF

Summary

On 19 July 2024 at about 18:30 local time, a Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV registered N788KF was involved in an accident near Palmyra, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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

19 July 2024 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Palmyra, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Reigle Fld (58N)

Coordinates

40.2875, -76.5770

Aircraft

Sheaffer Leroy B KITFOX MODEL IV

Registration

N788KF

Category

Airplane

Year built

2010

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

ERA24LA316

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel airplane during takeoff from a narrow runway with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that, during takeoff from a 40-ft-wide runway and just as he lifted the tailwheel off the ground, the airplane immediately turned left and departed the runway. The airplane bounced hard and fractured the right main landing gear, coming to rest upright in a corn field. There was a right crosswind at the time of departure and the right wing lifted as soon as the tailwheel left the ground. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, flight control continuity was established to all flight controls and no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified. The right main landing gear was fractured off and the brake line was severed. Both wheels spun freely and the brakes were not seized up.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.