Amateur-built KITFOX MODEL IV accident near Palmyra, Pennsylvania, July 19, 2024
On July 19, 2024 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built KITFOX MODEL IV, registered N788KF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Palmyra, Pennsylvania (Reigle Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel airplane during takeoff from a narrow runway with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2024 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Palmyra, Pennsylvania · Reigle Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX MODEL IV, built 2010
- Registration
- N788KF · registry record · serial LBS087
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that, during takeoff from a 40-ft-wide runway and just as he lifted the tailwheel off the ground, the airplane immediately turned left and departed the runway. The airplane bounced hard and fractured the right main landing gear, coming to rest upright in a corn field. There was a right crosswind at the time of departure and the right wing lifted as soon as the tailwheel left the ground. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, flight control continuity was established to all flight controls and no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified. The right main landing gear was fractured off and the brake line was severed. Both wheels spun freely and the brakes were not seized up.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 545 hours in all; 98 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 545 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 10, 2024
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 202 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 27, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 229 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 1,955 ft by 40 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from MUI, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMUI 191855Z 26007KT 10SM SCT060 SCT250 29/10 A3011 RMK AO2A SLP196 T02880100
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 5 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOS Photograph 2 – Damaged empennage
INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOS Photograph 3 – damaged left wing tip
INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOS Photograph 4 – Damaged main landing gear
INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOS Photograph 5 - Damaged main landing gearThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on January 29, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Memo for Record - FAA Examination | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for Record A�� Autopsy Results | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
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.