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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 8, 1993 · Wilson KIT FOX Model 4 KIT FOX MO · N193CW

Bowdoinham, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bowdoinham, ME
Aircraft
Wilson KIT FOX Model 4 KIT FOX MO
Tail Number
N193CW
Operator
Charles W Cunningham
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO93LA166

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY, BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TREES AND CAME TO REST IN THE TREE TOPS ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS AND FUEL LINES LEADING TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS RUN AND A FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD LOST TOTAL POWER ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRONICS, SPECIFICALLY, THE ENGINE'S DOUBLE COIL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRONICS AND A FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

NTSB Probable Cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

Full Narrative

On Wednesday, September 8, 1993, at about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Kit Fox Model 4, N193CW, owned and operated by Charles Cunningham of Bowdoinham, Maine, and Robert Wilson of Brunswick, Maine, and piloted by Charles Cunningham, lost total engine power shortly after takeoff from runway 14 at the Merrymeeting airport located in Bowdoinham. The airplane collided with trees during the subsequent forced landing and was substantially damaged. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, the airplane's Rotax two cylinder engine lost total power. He stated he tried to reverse direction and land the airplane on runway 32. He stated the airplane did not have enough altitude to clear the trees at the approach end of the runway. The airplane impacted the trees and came to rest on the treetops about 50 feet above the ground. Post accident examination of the engine was accomplished and no anomalies were noted. Fuel was found in the fuel tanks and fuel lines leading to the engine. The engine was started and ran without any anomalies noted. The engine failure could not be duplicated. The pilot stated that the airplane's engine had lost total power on a previous flight. He stated that he thought the problem was with the airplane's electronics because the tachometer was "very erratic." He stated he checked all the airplane's electronic equipment and could not duplicate the problem. The pilot stated that he thought the engine's double coil was "shorting out."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMerrymeeting Field (1nm SE)
Runway14
Runway Length1948 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWilson KIT FOX Model 4 KIT FOX MO
Tail NumberN193CW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles W Cunningham
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data