Amateur-built Kitfox Model II accident near Battle Ground, Washington, August 28, 2001
On August 28, 2001 at about 6:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Kitfox Model II, registered N2136F, was destroyed in an accident near Battle Ground, Washington (Goheen airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climbout.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 28, 2001 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Battle Ground, Washington · Goheen · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kitfox Model II
- Registration
- N2136F · registry record · serial 385
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident aircraft was assembled for flight at the airport immediately before the accident flight. The pilot reported that following a normal takeoff and climbout, at approximately 150 feet above ground level and 50 MPH, he experienced a simultaneous reduction in airspeed and rate of climb. The airport owner reported that he watched the aircraft take off and get to an altitude about 200 to 250 feet above the runway when it began to flounder and mush as it drifted off to the right of the runway. The airport owner reported that the aircraft then settled into the trees and crashed. The airport owner stated that the aircraft took what he felt was an excessive take off roll, about 1,000 feet, and that the aircraft did not appear to have an excessive angle of attack as the aircraft climbed out. He also stated that the engine appeared to be operating normally and that he did not notice any power loss. The airport owner reported that the winds at the airport surface were calm when the accident happened. METAR weather observations at several nearby weather observation facilities near the time of the accident reported generally northerly to northwesterly or variable winds at 5 to 7 knots, with clear skies or few clouds and no significant temperature or pressure gradients across the area. According to performance specifications published by the aircraft kit manufacturer, a comparable model in the Kitfox line with power loading in the range of the accident aircraft has a takeoff roll of 250 feet, a climb rate of 1,200 to 1,450 feet per minute, and a stall speed of 37 MPH.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 644 hours in all; 55 in this make and model; 604 as pilot in command; 62 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 1, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 55 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 27, 2001; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Mosler 74X (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: W52 Battle Ground WA at 6:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 2,600 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 331° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from VUO, 12 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.