Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

August 30, 2007 · Fitt Kitfox · N96KL

Diamond Springs, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 2007
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Diamond Springs, CA
Aircraft
Fitt Kitfox
Tail Number
N96KL
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA07LA245

After takeoff and during the initial climb the pilot observed a higher than normal engine temperature, followed by a zero oil pressure reading. Although the engine continued to run without interruption, the pilot elected to make a precautionary landing in a field clearing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. The oil tank was disassembled during a post-accident examination of the engine and a foreign object, composed of a plastic material, was found plugged in the pickup portion of the oil supply tube. The pilot said that he had performed an engine oil change 5 days prior to the accident, and that during the oil change, he had disassembled and then reassembled the oil tank. The pilot reported that he did not know what the foreign object was or how it came to be lodged in the oil supply tube.

NTSB Probable Cause

Oil starvation during climb due to an unidentified piece of plastic material blocking an oil supply tube and the pilot's inadequate maintenance of the lubricating system. Contributing to the accident was the rough terrain.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 2007, approximately 0630 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Fitt Kitfox airplane, N96KL, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain following a precautionary landing near Diamond Springs, California. The private pilot and his sole passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. A flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Cameron Airpark (O61), Cameron Park, California, about 0620, and was en route to Homedale, Idaho. According to the pilot on initial climb "...the engine temps were slightly higher than normal and [I] shallowed the climb, continuing to monitor the instruments. After about 5 to 10 minutes I observed the oil pressure gauge drop to near zero, then to zero." The pilot stated that he thought his altitude at the time was close to 3,000 feet when he elected to make a precautionary landing, due to what he felt "...was the high probability of the engine quitting." The pilot reported that he located a large open area and began to circle to lose altitude; the landing site was located about 8 nautical miles east of the departure airport. The pilot stated that after committing to land, "...I found himself a bit too close to the edge of the clearing, so I attempted to put [the airplane] on the ground with a nose high, power on final descent." During the landing sequence the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and both wings. The airplane came to rest in an upright position, and there was no fire. A post-accident examination of the airplane's engine revealed that upon disassembly of the oil tank, a foreign object composed of a plastic material was observed plugged in the pickup portion of the oil supply tube. An examination of the foreign object after its removal from the oil supply tube failed to reveal its identity or origin. The pilot reported that he had performed an engine oil change 5 days prior to the accident, and that during the oil change he disassembled and then reassembled the oil tank, but did not know what the foreign object was, or where it came from.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFitt Kitfox
Tail NumberN96KL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 UL · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data