Amateur-built Kitfox Ser 5 Outback accident near Apple Valley, California, May 23, 2009
On May 23, 2009 at about 2:45 pm local time, a amateur-built Kitfox Ser 5 Outback, registered N781VP, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Apple Valley, California (Apple Valley Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 2009 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Apple Valley, California · Apple Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kitfox Ser 5 Outback
- Registration
- N781VP · no longer on the register · serial S9701-0203
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses observed the accident airplane flying low, about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, when it banked sharply to the left, stalled, and then began to spin prior to impacting the ground. Due to the airplane damage, Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who responded to the accident site were not able to determine if there were any mechanical problems prior to impact. According to a pilot/mechanic who performed the annual inspection on the airplane about a month prior to the accident, he had several conversations with the accident pilot regarding the pilot's unease about flying alone since he had not flown the airplane for some time. The pilot's spouse reported that she knew of no known medical problems with her husband. She also said that he had not flown the airplane since the last annual inspection.
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 in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 550 hours in all; 300 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 252 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Nsi EA-81 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: APV Apple Valley CA at 2:45 pm
- Destination: APV Apple Valley CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 2:51 pm from VCV, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.