KIT FOX MODEL 3 N815US accident near Scottsburg, Indiana

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after takeoff that resulted in an impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot attempted a personal flight in an airplane that did not have an airworthiness certificate. Additionally, he did not have any required student pilot solo endorsements for solo flight. A witness to the accident flight stated that the student pilot performed a successful airplane runup before takeoff. During the takeoff, the airplane lifted off when it was about halfway down the runway and climbed to about tree top level. A few seconds later, the right wing dropped, and the airplane descended into terrain in a nose-down attitude. The engine continued to operate after the impact until the witness turned the magnetos and fuel selector valve off. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA381 for the full record.