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July 28, 2013 · Phelps Kitfox III · N873RX

Oshkosh, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Oshkosh, WI
Aircraft
Phelps Kitfox III
Tail Number
N873RX
Operator
Phelps Rex D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13FA440

The airplane was about 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot was able to momentarily regain engine power twice before the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field. The airplane's nose impacted terrain, which pushed the engine rearward and buckled the structure under the forward cockpit area. A postaccident examination revealed that the left wing fuel tank was nearly full, and the fuel line connecting the left wing fuel tank to the header tank had softened at the installation bend, which allowed the fuel line to kink and shut off the fuel supply from the left wing tank. The right wing and header fuel tanks were empty, and the fuel line from the right tank was intact and functioned normally. The fuel system on newer models of the accident airplane have been modified to include a 90-degree elbow fitting, which prevents the tight bend in the fuel line from the wing tanks to the header tank.

NTSB Probable Cause

The degraded fuel line, which prevented fuel from the left tank from reaching the header tank and resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

On July 28, 2013, at 1150 central daylight time, an amateur built experimental Phelps KitFox III, N873RX, collided with the terrain during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the airframe. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. The last leg of the cross-country flight originated from the La Porte Municipal Airport (PPO), La Porte, Indiana, at 0930. The flight was en route to EAA AirVenture at the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when the accident occurred. The pilot stated they were on the Fisk arrival, about 6 miles west-southwest of OSH at 1,800 feet above mean sea level, when the engine began running rough. The pilot was able to regain engine power twice prior to the engine losing all power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a nearby plowed field. The nose of the airplane contacted the terrain during the landing, pushing the engine rearward and buckling the structure under the forward cockpit area. The pilot had fueled the airplane, filling both tanks, prior to departing PPO. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing fuel tank was nearly full of fuel while the right wing fuel tank and the header tank were both empty. When the fuel line connecting the left wing fuel tank to the header tank was moved, fuel began draining from the wing into the header tank. The fuel line was removed and it was noted that the line had softened at the installation bend leading from the wing tank allowing the line to kink shutting off the fuel supply from the left wing tank. The pilot installed the fuel lines from both wing tanks to the header tank about 13 flight hours prior to the accident. The line from the right tank was intact and functioned normally. The lines installed were Gates automotive 50 pounds per square inch (psi) WP 5/16-inch diameter lines. A representative from KitFox stated they have not seen this problem with the fuel lines in the past. The fuel system on newer KitFox models has been modified to include a 90 degree elbow fitting which alleviates the tight bend in the fuel line from the wing tank to the header tank.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 CDT
Nearest AirportWittman Regional Airport (6nm WSW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPhelps Kitfox III
Tail NumberN873RX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhelps Rex D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912UL · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data