# Accident 20140924019919A: Lundak Robert KITFOX IV, Sonoma, CA, September 24, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 24, 2014, 14:30 local time
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.2231° N, 122.3589° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2231&lon=-122.3589&mi=10
- Aircraft: N99FL, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99FL-2015-04-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Lundak Robert KITFOX IV (registry code 056201A, https://openairdocs.org/model/lundak-robert-kitfox-iv) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax SEE BOMBADIER (registry code 55555, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUNDAK ROBERT KITFOX IV
- Reported engine: ROTAX SEE BOMBADIER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 19,700 total, 601 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14CA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA388) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140924019919A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR BUILT KITFOX - N99FL - S/N: 1570 STRUCK POWER LINES AND CRASHED INTO AN OPEN GRASS STRIP BETWEEN 2 VINEYARDS IN THE ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^. SONOMA COUNTY, CA.

FLIGHT DAY BEGAN IN HAYWARD (HWD) WHERE THE^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^PILOT SELF FUELED THE AIRCRAFT WITH 15-16 GALLONS OF AUTOMOBILE GAS THEN DEPARTED TO SONOMA SKYPARK (0Q9) FOR PERSONAL BUSINESS, LANDING WITHOUT INCIDENT.

WEATHER REPORT FOR KAPC AT 1400LCL, AUTO RPT: WIND 200 @15KTS VISIBILITY 10SM CLR, TEMP 26C, ALTIMETER 29.90.

AT 1430LCL THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER DEPARTED 0Q9 AND CLIMBED TO 2,000 FEET AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. RECOGNIZING THE EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON RAMAL RD BUT AS HE LOST ALTITUDE THAT OPTION FADED BECAUSE OF THE TREES AND POWER LINES. FACED WITH A DECISION, HE REALIGNED ON AN OPEN AREA BETWEEN TWO VINEYARDS NORTH OF RAMAL ROAD.

CROSSING THE POWER LINES THE MAIN GEAR CAUGHT THE WIRES AND THE AIRCRAFT RAPIDLY DESCENDED TO THE GROUND COMING TO REST VERTICALLY AT THE EDGE OF AN OPEN AREA BETWEEN THE VINEYARDS.

THE 80 YEAR OLD PILOT WAS AIRLIFTED TO SONOMA HOSPITAL. THE AIRMAN WAS INTERVIEWED BY PHONE THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO QUEEN OF THE VALLEY HOSPITAL IN NAPA BY AMBULANCE. WE WERE UNABLE TO CONTACT HER FOR A STATEMENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR14CA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA388), Sep 24, 2014: Lundak Robert Kitfox IV (N99FL), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel management which resulted in an engine failure due to fuel starvation and subsequent collision with power lines during the forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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