Amateur-built KITFOX III accident near Bumpass, Virginia, December 20, 2014
On December 20, 2014 at about 7:25 pm local time, a 2008 amateur-built KITFOX III, registered N573TB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Bumpass, Virginia. It was a personal 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 pilot's improper flare during a water landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 20, 2014 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Bumpass, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX III, built 2008
- Registration
- N573TB · registry record · serial 1016
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot he and his passenger departed from a lake marina on a local flight to conduct water take offs and landings. The flight was uneventful, but during the landing approach, the pilot reported that he misjudged the flare height due to the lack of visual reference on the water surface. He flared the airplane high and subsequently landed hard. Post-accident investigation revealed that the left forward float strut attachment point and lower left frame tube was sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
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 › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,479 hours in all; 55 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 8.8 in the last 30 days; 5,125 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 9, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 248.5 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, August 28, 2014; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 308 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Lake Anna VA at 7:00 pm
- Destination: Lake Anna VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from LKU, 10 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.
Other NTSB records under N573TB 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.