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August 26, 2022 · Ray E Roberts Kitfox V Vixen · N52367

Caldwell, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 2022
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Caldwell, ID
Aircraft
Ray E Roberts Kitfox V Vixen (2014)
Tail Number
N52367
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR22LA322

The pilot planned to take off and remain in the traffic pattern as part of a post-maintenance test flight of the airplane. After climbing to about 200 ft above the runway, the engine started to gradually lose power to about 15-20% engine power. The pilot had begun maneuvering the airplane for a forced landing when it entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot attempted to recover from the stall; however, the airplane impacted terrain and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, wing struts, and empennage. Postaccident examination determined that the power supply wire for the experimental engine’s electronic control unit (ECU) was loose in the crimped terminal. It is likely that during the flight, the intermittent power source to the ECU activated the engine’s “limp mode,” which resulted in a reduction of engine power to a level that was insufficient to maintain altitude. The engine’s limp mode is a safety feature designed to protect the engine and powertrain in automotive applications.

NTSB Probable Cause

The partial loss of engine power due to a loose wire leading to the engine’s electronic control unit (ECU). Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.

Full Narrative

On August 26, 2022, about 1620 mountain daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Kitfox V Vixen, N52367, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Caldwell, Idaho. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was conducting a post-maintenance test flight of the airplane after it had undergone a conditional inspection. The pilot reported that he had completed a flight down the runway in ground effect and then landed back on the runway. He then retook the runway for a flight around the traffic pattern. After climbing about 200 feet above the runway, the engine “slowly and continuously decreased power” to about 15 - 20% engine power. With no usable runway to land on, he turned to the left and attempted to land on a taxiway until he realized that a stall was imminent. He pushed the nose over and applied full right rudder and leveled the wings. The airplane impacted the ground and nosed over,sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, wing struts, and the empennage as shown in figure 1. Figure 1. N52367, exhibiting substantial damage. Photo courtesy of the pilot. The airplane came to rest inverted in an open field on the airport. All major components remained attached to the airplane, except for the four propeller blades, which remained near the wreckage. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed that the experimental Subaru EA-81 engine’s ECU would lose power when a wire bundle near the firewall was wiggled. The source of the intermittent power was traced to a loose wire crimped to a terminal. The wire was traced to the ignition switch 5-amp circuit breaker (figure 2). The mechanic who conducted the examination reported that the Subaru EA 81 engine had a “limp mode” feature which, when activated, resulted in a power reduction to about 25% to protect the engine and powertrain in automotive applications. An automotive mechanic, with multiple years of experience with Subaru engines, confirmed that an interruption of power to the ECU would activate the limp mode. Figure 2. Image of the electronic control module power supply wire and crimped terminal end. The wire was separated from the terminal postaccident. Photo courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 PDT
Nearest AirportCaldwell Executive Airport (300nm W)
Runway30
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRay E Roberts Kitfox V Vixen
Tail NumberN52367
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSubaru · EA-81 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data