NTSB Factual Report

On July 4, 2002, at 0930 central daylight time, an amateur-built Hale Kitfox Model III, N76WH, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it failed to clear a tree line adjacent to the departure field after takeoff. The airplane was departing from an alfalfa field eight miles north of Fairmont, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries.

The pilot reported to a police officer on-scene that he had decided to taxi the airplane on the field adjacent to his home. The pilot noted that as he neared the road and trees, he had to pull up in an attempt to clear them. He flew over the road and railroad tracks, but failed to clear the trees. The officer's notes stated that although the pilot said he was not actually flying, a child nearby told the officer that the airplane was airborne for quite awhile.

FAA records indicate the pilot was issued a student pilot/third class medical certificate on June 12, 2002. The FAA inspector on-scene noted that the pilot did not have a solo endorsement on his student pilot certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure by the pilot to obtain adequate clearance from the tree line, as well as a failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. A contributing factor was the tree line.