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NTSB Report

September 11, 2003 · Dusseau Kitfox · N20TZ

Nikiski, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Nikiski, AK
Aircraft
Dusseau Kitfox
Tail Number
N20TZ
Operator
Paul D Dale
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC03LA112

The private pilot reported that after takeoff, as he climbed the experimental/homebuilt airplane to about 1,200 feet above the ground, the engine began to misfire, and he elected to return to the departure airstrip. As the flight entered the traffic pattern for landing, he retarded the throttle to begin his approach, and all engine power was lost. During the emergency approach to the 1,740 foot long gravel-covered airstrip, he inadvertently flew further down the airstrip than planned. After touchdown, he was unable to stop his landing roll before reaching the end of the airstrip. The airplane subsequently rolled down an embankment, into an area of swampy, soft terrain, and nosed over. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot did not indicate what precipitated the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an overrun during the emergency landing, and subsequent nose over in swampy terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 2003, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped experimental/homebuilt, Dusseau Kitfox airplane, N20TZ, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff, at the Arness Lake Airstrip, Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the accident airstrip about 1555, and no flight plan was filed. In the pilot's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), he reported that after takeoff, as t airplane climbed to about 1,200 feet above the ground, the engine began to misfire, and he elected to return to his departure airstrip. He noted that as the flight entered a standard traffic pattern for landing on runway 21, he retarded the throttle to begin his approach, and all engine power was lost. During the emergency approach to the 1,740 foot long gravel-covered airstrip, he said he inadvertently flew further down the airstrip than planned. After touchdown, he was unable to stop his landing roll before reaching the end of the airstrip, and the airplane rolled down an embankment, into an area of swampy, soft terrain, and nosed over. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot did not indicate what precipitated the loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 AKDT
Nearest AirportArness Lake Airstrip (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length1740 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftDusseau Kitfox
Tail NumberN20TZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul D Dale
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCanadian Air Motive (Honda) · CAM 100 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data