# NTSB ATL96LA087: Sky Star Kitfox #1, N7030G, Bridgeport, AL, May 26, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1996, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, AL
- Coordinates: 34.940948, -85.710357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9409&lon=-85.7104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 26, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA087

## Probable cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).  Trees in the emergency landing area were a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the engine lost power during cruise flight. He then attempted a forced landing. During the forced landing, the right wing collided with a tree, and the airplane was damaged. No reason was found for the loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On May 26, 1996, at 1310 central daylight time, a Smith Kitfox #1, N7030G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Bridgeport, Alabama.  The commercial pilot was seriously injured and his passenger received minor injuries.  The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.

The pilot reported that the engine lost power during cruise flight.  The pilot attempted a forced landing.  During the forced landing attempt the right wing collided with a tree, resulting in a loss of directional control and the airplane subsequently impacting terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7030G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7030G-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 117, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Sky Star KITFOX #1
- Registry model: [Smith Jearld T KITFOX # 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-jearld-t-kitfox-1) (registry code 0561634) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 117
- Airframe hours: 140
- Engines: Rotax 532LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Childs
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996, 10 hours before
- Departed: APT, JASPER, TN
- Destination: AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 875 total, 8 in this make and model, 712 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 35 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 19960526011609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960526011609A), May 26, 1996: Amtrdf KITFOX, Bridgeport, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise flight. Wing collided with tree during forced landing.

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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