-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 H2oZ56hzpJ/udiplCOFmuvAlkmv+v1K4BtcGJc3aRvTtIO4XcAS5ttSpyYsYLeFO
 jBoL7UwNRpFuHQuVkhdPMA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001197330-03-000001.txt : 20030917
<SEC-HEADER>0001197330-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030917
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030917164756
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001197330-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030916
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030917

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MALLOY JOHN M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197330

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25202
		FILM NUMBER:		03899861

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 612787
		CITY:			DFW AIRPORT
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75261

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KITTY HAWK INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000932110
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AIR TRANSPORTATION, NONSCHEDULED [4522]
		IRS NUMBER:				752564006
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 612787
		STREET 2:		1515 W 20TH ST
		CITY:			DALLAS/FT WORTH INTN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75261
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9724562200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 612787
		STREET 2:		1515 W 20TH ST
		CITY:			DALLAS/FT WORTH INTN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75261
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-09-16</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000932110</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KITTY HAWK INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KTHK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197330</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MALLOY JOHN M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 612787</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1515 WEST 20TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DFW AIRPORT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75261</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.3</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>225000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-07-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>225000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>225000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock option was granted on July 29, 2003 pursuant to the terms of the Kitty Hawk 2003 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;), adopted by the Board of Directors of Kitty Hawk, Inc. (the &quot;Issuer&quot;) on July 29, 2003, subject to the approval of the Plan by the Issuer's stockholders.  The Issuer's stockholders approved the Plan on September 16, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Of the 225,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the stock option, 62,500 shares vested on July 29, 2003 and the remaining 162,500 shares vest in 26 equal monthly installments, beginning September 1, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Not applicable.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/John M. Malloy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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