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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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October 26, 2004 · David Cadorette Fox Model II · N267KF

Vero Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Vero Beach, FL
Aircraft
David Cadorette Fox Model II
Tail Number
N267KF
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA05LA015

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated the owner, dual student of the airplane made arrangements to get checked out in the airplane. Before the accident flight, the airplane had an engine run-up and several operational checks without any discrepancies noted. The dual student performed several high speed taxi tests to become familiar with the airplane. The CFI and the dual student departed from the runway and during the initial climb, at about 250 feet above ground, the engine lost power. The CFI allowed the dual student to be in control of the airplane during the forced landing. The airplane landed straight ahead and collided with a tree. The engine on the airplane had a total time of about 2 hours since being overhauled. The FAA inspector who examined the engine stated he found no apparent external broken or missing parts. He was able to rotate the engine by hand and found it to turn freely. The spark plugs were found with normal burn indication. The cylinder bores were checked for scoring and no stress was noted. Clean, properly mixed fuel was found at the time the carburetor bowls were examined. The carburetor fuel screens were free from debris. From these observations he established the engine should have been capable of producing power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power, for undetermined reasons, resulting in the airplane impacting with a tree and the ground during the subsequent forced landing.

Full Narrative

On October 26, 2004, about 1640 eastern daylight time, an experimental Kitfox II, N267KF, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight lost engine power after takeoff and had a forced landing at the Indian River Aerodrome, Vero Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot-in-command/certified flight instructor (CFI) received minor injuries and the private-rated dual student received serious injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time. The CFI stated the owner, dual student of the airplane made arrangements to get checked out in the airplane. Before the accident flight, the airplane had an engine run-up and several operational checks without any discrepancies noted. The dual student performed several high speed taxi tests to become familiar with the airplane. The CFI and the dual student departed from the runway and during the initial climb, at about 250 feet above ground, the engine lost power. The CFI allowed the dual student to be in control of the airplane during the forced landing. The airplane landed straight ahead and collided with a tree. The engine on the airplane had a total time of about 2 hours since being overhauled. The FAA inspector who examined the engine stated he found no apparent external broken or missing parts. He was able to rotate the engine by hand and found it to turn freely. The spark plugs were found with normal burn indication. The cylinder bores were checked for scoring and no stress was noted. Clean, properly mixed fuel was found at the time the carburetor bowls were examined. The carburetor fuel screens were free from debris. From these observations he established the engine should have been capable of producing power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 EDT
Nearest AirportIndian River Aerodrome (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDavid Cadorette Fox Model II
Tail NumberN267KF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 62
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 48 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data