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NTSB Report

September 7, 2009 · Hebert Kitfox Speedster · N43KA

Morrisville, VT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Morrisville, VT
Aircraft
Hebert Kitfox Speedster
Tail Number
N43KA
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09LA509

During the initial climb after takeoff the experimental, amateur-built airplane climbed to an altitude of approximately 100 feet and experienced a momentary loss of engine power, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The airplane was in a left turn when it stalled and subsequently struck hay bales. The airplane came to rest about 350 feet from the end of the departure runway. The engine was pushed aft into the firewall and the airframe sustained significant distortion. Examination of the wreckage, which included a detailed examination of the non-certificated engine, did not reveal any mechanical deficiencies which would have resulted in a complete loss of engine power. The airplane had been operated for about 510 total hours, and 3 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 6 months prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On September 7, 2009, about 1630 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Hebert Kitfox Speedster, N43KA, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground, after it experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff, from Morrisville-Stowe State Airport (MVL), Morrisville, Vermont. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, after a normal pre-takeoff engine run-up, the airplane departed from runway 1, a 3,701-foot-long, by 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. As the airplane climbed to an altitude of about 100 feet, it experienced a momentary loss of engine power, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The airplane was in a left turn, at a "low airspeed," when the left wing "started to drop." The airplane subsequently struck, and came to rest on hay bales, about 350 feet from the end of the runway. The engine was pushed aft into the firewall, and the airframe sustained significant distortion. Initial examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any obvious preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot reported he added 10 gallons of fuel to the airplane prior to takeoff, and evidence of a fuel spill was present at the accident site. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 912 series non-certificated engine, which was retained for further examination. The engine was subsequently examined at Rotech Flight Safety, Vernon, British Columbia, under the supervision of an NTSB investigator. The examination did not reveal any mechanical deficiencies which would have resulted in a complete loss of engine power. According to FAA records, the airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate on September 18, 1995. The pilot, who was also the builder, reported that at the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 510 total hours, and 3 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed on March 1, 2009. The pilot reported 1,150 hours of total flight experience, which included 500 hours in the accident airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on July 26, 2009. A weather observation taken at MVL, about the time of the accident, reported: wind from 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; few clouds at 4,700 feet, temperature 23 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 12 degrees C; altimeter 30.17 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest AirportMorrisville-Stowe (1nm)
Runway01
Runway Length3701 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHebert Kitfox Speedster
Tail NumberN43KA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data