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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 25, 1999 · Ben Travis Kitfox IV · N149BT

Carnation, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Carnation, WA
Aircraft
Ben Travis Kitfox IV
Tail Number
N149BT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA071

While in a cruise flight configuration the aircraft's engine started to lose power and eventually quit. The pilot executed a forced landing in a crowned hay field. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced, momentarily became airborne, then touched down a second time. In an effort to stop, the pilot intentionally ground-looped the aircraft. The aircraft came to rest in a irrigation canal that paralleled the hay field. The aircraft's main landing gear and both wings were substantially damaged. A post accident inspection of the engine revealed a large crack in the impulse line running from the engine's crankcase to the pulse fuel pump. A technical representative from Rotax Engines stated that a breech of this type in the impulse line would result in a failure of the pulse fuel pump.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power due to a cracked engine impulse line, which disabled the fuel pump. A factor was the intentional ground loop by the pilot.

Full Narrative

On May 24, 1999, about 1705 Pacific daylight time, a Travis Kitfox, N149BT, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing following a sudden loss of engine power. The accident occurred approximately one mile northeast of Carnation, Washington. The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14CFR91 personal/pleasure flight. The flight originated from Sequim Valley airport, Sequim, Washington, approximately 1405 PDT. The pilot reported that while in a cruise flight configuration the engine started to lose power and eventually quit. The pilot executed a forced landing in a crowned hay field. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced, momentarily became airborne, then touched down a second time. In an effort to stop, the pilot intentionally ground- looped the aircraft. The aircraft came to rest in a irrigation canal that paralleled the hay field. The aircraft's main landing gear and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that a post accident inspection of the engine revealed a large crack in the impulse line running from the engine's crankcase to the pulse fuel pump. A conversation with a technical representative from Rotax Engines revealed that a breech of this type in the impulse line would result in a failure of the pulse fuel pump.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBen Travis Kitfox IV
Tail NumberN149BT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582, 2 STROKE · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data