NTSB Factual Report

On May 23, 2010, at 1535 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Hall Kitfox Speedster, N211ES, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while performing low-level passes near a residence in Defiance, Ohio. The pilot was not injured and the passenger received serious injuries. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Defiance County Airport (DFI), Defiance, Ohio, at about 1500.

During a telephone interview the pilot stated he made a couple of approaches to a field near a friend’s house because his passenger wanted to take some pictures. He stated when the airplane reached an altitude of about 300 feet above the ground after the last approach, it developed a sink rate. He stated the sink rate continued to increase and he located a small clearing in which to land the airplane. He stated the airplane touched down in a level attitude at which time the landing gear collapsed. He stated he was descending to an altitude of about 100 feet above the ground during the approaches.

In his written statement the pilot reported he made 3 to 4 practice landing approaches to a farm field using a right hand traffic pattern. At the end of the last approach, the pilot felt a “negative ‘G’” on the airplane while it was in a wings level climb, 10 to 15 degrees nose up, with full power at an altitude of 500 to 600 feet above the ground. He reported the descent rate increased and he was able to maintain “forward speed.” He reported, “…I noticed trees coming up on the right, I made the decision to execute emergency landing procedures.” During the first impact with the ground the main landing gear collapsed and during the second impact, damaged the aircraft fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

The passenger reported to local authorities that they were flying circles over the house when the airplane lost power and descended impacting the terrain.

A witness reported seeing the airplane make a low pass from south to north over a neighbor’s pond. The airplane circled to the east and appeared to be climbing “very slowly.” He stated the airplane then appeared to be losing altitude as it headed directly toward his house. The airplane “turned quickly” to the east and contacted the ground. He stated the airplane was about treetop level during the maneuver and he heard the engine until the airplane impacted the ground.

Another witness videotaped the airplane until 30 seconds before the accident. This witness reported, “The pilot was flying well below 100ft-150ft. The pilot was dive bombing over the pond showing off to his friends. ... The pilot pulled up to miss the trees. He pulled up too steep and caused the plane to stall making the plane drop out of the sky.” Screen shots of the video show the airplane maneuvering at tree top level behind a residence.

The pilot purchased the airplane in December 2009, however, it was still registered to the previous owner. The pilot reported having a total flight time of 90.5 hours, with 9.2 hours in this make and model airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing low-altitude maneuvers.