Amateur-built KITFOX MOD II accident near Burlington, Washington, May 12, 1992
On May 12, 1992 at about 9:35 pm local time, a amateur-built KITFOX MOD II, registered N7183H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Burlington, Washington (Skagit Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY, AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH/GUSTY WINDS, AND A FENCE NEAR THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 1992 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Burlington, Washington · Skagit Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX MOD II KITFOX MOD
- Registration
- N7183H · registry record · serial 531
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE KITFOX II EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF IN WINDS OF 15 KNOTS, WITH HIGHER GUSTS. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT FOUND THAT FULL DEFLECTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DID NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH RESPONSE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE STRONG/GUSTY WINDS FORCED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE PLANNED DEPARTURE COURSE, WHERE IT CONTACTED A FENCE, AND THEN IMPACTED 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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 6 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 LC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 74S Anacortes WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 5,475 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.