Lindberg KITFOX IV accident near Merritt Island, FL
On October 27, 1996, a Lindberg KITFOX IV (airplane) was involved in an accident near Merritt Island, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 27, 1996
- Place
- Merritt Island, FL
- Aircraft
- Lindberg KITFOX IV · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 28.319°N, 80.680°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06841
NTSB summary
On October 27, 1996, about 1455 eastern standard time, a Lindberg KitFox IV collided with the ground during an uncontrolled descent at Merrit Island, Florida. The homebuilt kit airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private pilot and a flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. A witness reported that the airplane was climbing on the crosswind leg, following takeoff from runway 11 at the Merrit Island Airport. He reported that the engine quit, followed by a turn back toward the airport. The airplane appeared to stall and begin a spin from about 500 feet above ground level (agl). A recovery was made about 75 feet, followed by a secondary stall that resulted in impact with the ground in a nearly vertical nose down attitude. The airplane caught fire at impact. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, an experimental airworthiness certificate for the airplane was given to the owner the previous day.(copy attached) The accident flight was the first flight in the airplane. The operating limitations provided with the airworthiness certificate specified that no person should be carried in the airplane during flight unless that person was required for the purpose of the flight. The inspector stated that the owner justified being accompanied by the flight instructor because of the insurance requirement for flight hours in tail w
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilots to maintain airspeed.
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Browse: Florida
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
