Amateur-built KR2 accident near Clarinda, Iowa, September 11, 2003
On September 11, 2003 at about 8:53 pm local time, a amateur-built KR2, registered N60MS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Clarinda, Iowa. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the roadway sign. The loose gravel and the sign were contributing factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 2003 · about 8:53 pm local time
- Place
- Clarinda, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KR2
- Registration
- N60MS · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when it hit a roadway sign and subsequently impacted the terrain immediately after takeoff from a gravel road. The pilot had reportedly made a precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather. Approximately 3 hours after the precautionary landing, the weather cleared and the pilot felt that he would be able to takeoff safely. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft began "hopping" on the gravel, according to the pilot. He reportedly transitioned to a soft field takeoff procedure, but the aircraft started "sliding on the gravel." The pilot noted that he rotated prematurely and due to the gradual downhill terrain, was soon out of ground effect. He stated: "I decided to climb out straight ahead and go under the power lines. I lowered the nose for speed and thought that I had cleared the stop sign." However, the left main landing gear caught the sign causing the aircraft to flip over and subsequently impact the terrain.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 19,169 hours in all; 186 in this make and model; 270 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 18,368 as pilot in command; 1,710 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 20, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 186 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 6, 2002; 63 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Hapi 602--D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N/A Clarinda IA at 8:53 pm
- Destination: ICL Clarinda IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from ICL, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.