# NTSB ATL91LA143: Hinton Kitfox, N174PH, Killen, AL, July 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1991, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Killen, AL
- Coordinates: 34.859439, -87.52024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8594&lon=-87.5202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA143

## Probable cause

WEATHER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF A CARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM ON THE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, landing - aborted
  - carburetor heat control - lack of (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - pole

## Analysis

DURING LANDING, A DOG WANDERED ONTO THE RUNWAY INTO THE PATH OF THE LANDING ROLL. A GO-AROUND WAS BEGUN, DURING WHICH THE ENGINE LOST POWER. WIRES AT THE END OF THE RWY FORCED THE PILOT TO DUCK UNDER THEM AND THE AIRPLANE HIT A POLE. A MECHANIC RAN THE ENGINE AFTERWARDS AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO PRECLUDE NORMAL OPERATION. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE CARBURETOR MOUNT INSULATED THE CARBURETOR FROM THE ENGINE HEAT AND NO CARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED. HUMIDITY CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N174PH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N174PH-1991-08-27), registration cancelled 1991-08-27, S/N 174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HINTON KITFOX
- Registry model: [Hinton Paul Michael KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/hinton-paul-michael-kitfox) (registry code 0561603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 174
- Airframe hours: 163
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hinton, Paul M.
- Registered owner: Hinton, Paul M.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 1991, 25 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 3, 1,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 327 total, 189 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 10 nm away

## 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 19910728030489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910728030489A), Jul 28, 1991: Amtrdf KITFOX, Killen, AL, Substantial damage. Dogs on runway. Engine failed respond on attempted go around. No carb heat. Carburetor icing conditions.

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.

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