Amateur-built Kokopelli SuperPacer accident near Kremmling, Colorado, June 10, 2012
On June 10, 2012 at about 5:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Kokopelli SuperPacer, registered N8VX, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Kremmling, Colorado (Mc Elroy Airfield). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The low spring tension of the rudder and tailwheel cable, which resulted in the loss of control as the airplane decelerated after landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 2012 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Kremmling, Colorado · Mc Elroy Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kokopelli SuperPacer
- Registration
- N8VX · no longer on the register · serial 0001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down in a 3-point attitude and aligned with the runway. As it slowed, it began drifting to the right. The flight instructor applied full left rudder and full left brake to no avail. The airplane went off the side of the runway, bounced, and ground looped to the right. The flight instructor stated that the spring tension was set too low on the rudder and tailwheel cable.
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 on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Nose/tail landing gear › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 255 hours in all; 97 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 176 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 6, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 7,873 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 7,790 as pilot in command; 4,718 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 16, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 147 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 24, 2011; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Penn Yann Aero O-375-CHP (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: K20V Kremmling CO at 4:50 pm
- Destination: K20V Kremmling CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 5,536 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.