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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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NTSB Report

August 19, 2012 · Jones Kitfox III · N942EJ

Rockford, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rockford, IL
Aircraft
Jones Kitfox III
Tail Number
N942EJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA577

The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a spark plug that the pilot installed about 2 flight hours before the accident had loosened and separated from its cylinder during the accident takeoff. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if the spark plugs were tightened and rechecked when they were installed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper installation of a spark plug, which led to a partial loss of engine power after takeoff and the resultant forced landing.

Full Narrative

On August 19, 2012, about 1245 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Jones Kitfox III, N942EJ, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Cottonwood Airport, Rockford, Illinois. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field after the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The private pilot and a passenger were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wing, and stabilizer. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the airplane experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff while at 300 feet above ground level. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a bean field. The pilot stated that a spark plug had loosened after he replaced it about 2 hours of time in service before the accident flight. The pilot's safety recommendation was to tighten and then recheck spark plugs when they are installed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CDT
Nearest AirportCottonwood Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJones Kitfox III
Tail NumberN942EJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 60
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 13000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data