Syracuse Kitfox accident near Niwot, CO
On December 24, 2005, a Syracuse Kitfox (airplane) was involved in an accident near Niwot, CO. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 24, 2005
- Place
- Niwot, CO
- Aircraft
- Syracuse Kitfox · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.039°N, 105.226°W
- NTSB ID
- 20051228X02019
NTSB summary
On December 24, 2005, approximately 0925 mountain standard time, a Syracuse Kitfox single-engine experimental airplane, N94CV, was destroyed when impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Niwot, Colorado. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to the pilot and a private individual, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed Erie Municipal Airport, Erie, Colorado, approximately 0900. According to witness statements obtained by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Boulder, Colorado, witnesses observed the airplane flying low over Panama Reservoir, pull straight up, perform a "barrel roll", reverse direction, and depart the area. Approximately 30 minutes later, the airplane returned to the area, flying in an east to west direction, approximately 100 to 200 feet agl over the ice-covered reservoir. As the airplane reached the west end of the reservoir, the airplane went straight up and performed an aerobatic "barrel roll" maneuver. The airplane then descended straight down and impacted the edge of the reservoir in a nose-down attitude. Several witnesses then notified the local authorities of the accident. According to an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, the airplane came to rest on top of the ice-covered reservoir adjacent to the shoreline. All flight control surfaces and airplane components were located in the debris area. On January 5, 2006, a
Probable cause
The pilot's improper in-flight decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of aerobatic experience.
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Browse: Colorado
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
