Kitfox Series 6 accident near Likely, CA
On June 20, 2021, a Kitfox Series 6 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Likely, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 20, 2021
- Place
- Likely, CA
- Aircraft
- Kitfox Series 6 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.249°N, 120.531°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210620103292
Official records · WPR21FA232
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 20, 2021, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Kitfox Series 6 airplane, N617Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Likely, California. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Witnesses located near the accident site reported that they had spoken to the pilot and passenger about 10 minutes before the accident. Following their conversation, they watched the pilot and passenger board the airplane. The witnesses stated that the pilot attempted to take off from the field on a westerly heading; however, it appeared that the airplane could not get enough speed to get off the ground. The witnesses heard the engine throttle down and watched the airplane turn 180° and initiate a second attempt to takeoff in an easterly direction. The witnesses stated that the airplane became airborne about 20 yards from the canal road and climbed to about 10 to 20 ft above the ground. As the airplane approached the canal, it began to descend and then 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. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATIONThe calculated density altitude was 6,635 ft, with a pressure altitude of 4,297 ft. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe airplane impacted the eastern edge of an irrigation levee as seen in figure 1. Debris remained within about 5 ft of the main wreckage. The fuselage came to r
Probable cause
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.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
