Amateur-built KITFOX SPEEDSTER accident near Defiance, Ohio, May 23, 2010
On May 23, 2010 at about 7:35 pm local time, a amateur-built KITFOX SPEEDSTER, registered N211ES, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Defiance, Ohio. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing low-altitude maneuvers.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 2010 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Defiance, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX SPEEDSTER
- Registration
- N211ES · registry record · serial 021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing low-level passes over a pond when the accident occurred. A video shot by a witness shows the airplane at or below treetop height during the maneuvers. The pilot reported that when he was climbing after the last pass the airplane developed a sink rate that increased until the airplane contacted the ground. The aircraft fuselage was bent during the impact and the passenger suffered a serious injury. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and witnesses reported hearing the engine until the airplane impacted the ground.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 91 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 38 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 133 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 7, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Bombardier ROTAX (ALL) (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DFI Defiance OH at 7:00 pm
- Destination: 0G6 Bryan OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from DFI, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.