First Flight Pilot in First Flight Airplane + Tailwind = Repairs

Jack Nolen, a doctor from Muskogee (OK), was so anxious to take off in his brand-new Kitfox Lite Squared (file photo) that, well, he just did it. According to sources familiar with the circumstances, the Lite Squared, built in Idaho on a builder-assistance program, had exactly zero flight time when the excited owner really, really wanted to fly it.

 Often, Kitfox owners will avail themselves of the company's standing offer to perform first flights; that offer was turned down this time. The Kitfox people saw the results on the evening news.

As per the usual request from the FSDO, Nolan took off generally southeast, to stay away from the "populated" end of the 2900 foot runway (located at 2200 MSL). The problem with that strategy turned out to be the 10+ knot tailwind component.

The plane just got off the ground, flew a moment in ground effect, and then was pulled up rather sharply, according to one source. It settled back down, hard, collapsing the starboard main and the nose gear. also damaged were the wing on that side, the prop, and maybe the fuselage.

The good news: Dr. Nolen is fine, and the airplane is on its way to the Kitfox factory some twenty minutes' distant from the accident, where it can be repaired. Good ol' tube and fabric -- that construction allows near-immortality.

**   Report created 8/13/2003   Record 1   **
IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 222JN        Make/Model: EXP      Description: KITFOX LITE SQUARED
  Date: 08/12/2003     Time: 2030
  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
  City: HOMEDALE   State: ID   Country: US
DESCRIPTION
  ACFT ON TAKEOFF, WING STALLED AND IMPACTED RUNWAY, GEAR COLLAPSED, PROP STRUCKWAY, AND ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY, HOMEDALE, ID
INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:  1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
WEATHER: UNK
OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Take-off      Operation: General Aviation
  Departed: HOMEDALE, ID                Dep Date: 08/12/2003   Dep. Time: 1430
  Destination: HOMEDALE, ID             Flt Plan: NONE         Wx Briefing: N
  Last Radio Cont: UNK
  Last Clearance: UNK
  FAA FSDO: BOISE, ID  (NM11)                     Entry date: 08/13/2003