Amateur-built KITFOX IV 1200 accident near Carson City, Nevada, February 11, 2018
On February 11, 2018 at about 8:40 pm local time, a 1995 amateur-built KITFOX IV 1200, registered N76478, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Carson City, Nevada (Carson airport). 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 flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and lateral control during the go-around in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 11, 2018 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Carson City, Nevada · Carson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX IV 1200 IV, built 1995
- Registration
- N76478 · no longer on the register · serial DCU021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot receiving instruction in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he taxied to a runway for takeoff and then realized that the wind favored the opposite runway. He taxied to the opposite runway, performed a run-up, and discussed the takeoff and traffic pattern procedures with the flight instructor. After takeoff and completing a circuit in the pattern, while on final approach in gusting wind conditions, the flight instructor took the flight controls to correct the airplane's alignment with the runway. The pilot receiving instruction added that the flight instructor corrected the alignment and landed the airplane. After landing, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the right, and the airplane exited the runway and impacted sagebrush. The flight instructor reported that, before the flight, he told the pilot receiving instruction that it was "not a flying day" and suggested practicing wind correction during taxi. He added that they decided to taxi down the runway to the first turnoff, but the pilot receiving instruction applied takeoff power and, he did not know why. He added that the airplane became airborne and that he took control during final, landing, and the landing roll but was not able to maintain directional control. He applied full power to go around but "chose to wheel land in the small sagebrush" instead. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot receiving instruction reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 9 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Loss of control on ground during landing
- Runway excursion during landing
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Lack of communication › Flight crew
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 1 in the last 90 days; 143 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,826.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 17, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 1,274 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CXP Carson City NV at 8:30 pm
- Destination: CXP Carson City NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 6,101 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from KCXP, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2018. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Flight Instructor Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.