Pilot Debrief

Kitfox Speedster near Leadville, CO — 2020-09-24

Final reportCEN20LA424
Sign in to save
Date
2020-09-24
Location
Leadville, CO, USA
Aircraft
Kitfox Speedster
Registration
N525PP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper maintenance.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the airplane reported that the airplane used more runway than expected to get airborne. After rotating, the airplane settled back to the runway surface, then became airborne again. The airplane did not climb normally despite the throttle being in the full power position. The pilot decided to land the airplane straight ahead in a field. Upon landing, the right wing impacted a small tree, and the airplane came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed a plugged carburetor breather tube that was not impact related damage. The pilot reported that he plugged the tube with a screw 2 days before the accident, mistakenly thinking that it was a primer line. The plugged breather tube most likely created a back pressure of fuel distribution to the cylinders and resulted in partial fuel starvation to the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked carburetor breather tube before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

Related mishaps