Amateur-built Kitfox IV accident near Dodge Center, Minnesota, September 18, 2009
On September 18, 2009, a amateur-built Kitfox IV, registered N396BK, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Dodge Center, Minnesota (Dodge Center airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper glide path during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2009
- Place
- Dodge Center, Minnesota · Dodge Center · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kitfox IV
- Registration
- N396BK · registry record · serial C9400070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed several maneuvers in the local area during a "phase 1" flight test. The pilot returned to the departure airport where he completed two normal landings and was to perform a third landing. The pilot stated that during the third landing flare, the airplane sink rate was "too fast" and the nosewheel contacted the runway. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane was configured with full flaps. Damage to the airplane included a buckled fuselage and vertical stabilizer, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that engine power should have been applied to control the sink rate. Examination of the accident site revealed a ground scar in a field about 130 feet from the runway threshold or about 30 feet from the runway edge. The ground scar was consistent with the airplane's initial touchdown point. The pilot said that he would usually use an aim point that was about 100 feet past three yellow cones that delineated each side of the threshold.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 633 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 11, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 22, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Nsi Aero Subaru EA-180 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOB Dodge Center MN at 11:00 pm
- Destination: TOB Dodge Center MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 2,340 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 4:00 am from TOB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N396BK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.