# NTSB ATL04LA066: Current Kitfox 313, N313MC, Selma, AL, January 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 2004, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Selma, AL - Coordinates: 32.373332, -87.102218 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3733&lon=-87.1022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58660/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA066 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate installation, and his failure to secure the main fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency - fuel system,line - not secured (cause) - maintenance,installation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he stated that prior to the flight he made adjustment on the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge. The main fuel flow line had been removed to access the area of the EGT gauge. During climb out through 300 feet, the EGT gauge was reading above the maximum temperature, and the engine quit. While maneuvering for the emergency landing the right wing collided with a tree. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was buckled. Examination of the flight control system did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. Examination of the engine compression, and the ignition system of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. Approximately five gallons of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. Further examination of the fuel system revealed that the main fuel line was separated from the fuel input port on the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 2004, at 1400 central standard time, a Current Kitfox 313, N313MC, registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with the ground while attempting an emergency landing in Selma, Alabama. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Sky Harbor Airport, Selma, Alabama, on January 13, 2004 at 1345. During a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that prior to the flight he made adjustment on the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge. The main fuel flow line had been removed to access the area of the EGT gauge. During climb out through 300 feet, the EGTgauge was reading above the maximum temperature, and the engine quit. While maneuvering for the emergency landing the right wing collided with a tree. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was buckled. Examination of the flight control system did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. Examination of the engine compression, and the ignition system of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. Approximately five gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system. Further examination of the fuel system revealed that the main fuel line was separated from the fuel input port on the carburetor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N313MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N313MC-2005-09-22), registration cancelled 2005-09-22, S/N 313, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Current Kitfox 313 - Registry model: [Current Mike KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/current-mike-kitfox) (registry code 05616P8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 313 - Engines: Bombardier 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald T. Coffee - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: S63, SELMA, AL - Airport: S63, Skyharbor ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 179 total, 179 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: MGM ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040113001369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040113001369A), Jan 13, 2004: Amtr KITFOX, Selma, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 1400 hours CST, a kit fox aircraft departed sky harbor airport in Selma, Alabama. The pilot stated that while the aircraft was climbing… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.