# NTSB BFO96LA001: Rudy Kitfox 1, N226WR, Charlottesville, VA, October 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 1995, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Charlottesville, VA - Coordinates: 38.090713, -78.560386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0907&lon=-78.5604&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO96LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9098/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA001 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A related factor was the pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane was in cruise flight at 2,700 feet MSL when the engine lost power. His attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, so he made a forced landing on a golf course. During landing, the airplane collided with tall trees. The pilot stated that the airplane was filled to its capacity (9.5 gallons) at the departure airport. The loss of engine power occurred about 1.5 hours after departure. Postaccident examination revealed that there was no fuel in the carburetor bowl/fuel system. Expected fuel consumption for the engine was 6.5 gallons per hour. The aircraft manufacturer recommended installing a low fuel warning system, but this aircraft was not so equipped. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 1995, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Rudy Kitfox homebuilt airplane, N226WR, operated by the airplane owner/builder, lost engine power during cruise flight and collided with trees during the forced landing near Charlottesville, Virginia. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Farmville, Virginia, at approximately 1445. The intended destination was New Market, Virginia. According to the pilot, he departed New Market and flew to Farmville. He reported that at Farmville he "...refueled, topped [the] main tank (9.5 gallon capacity). It took 7 gallons [of fuel] to fill [the] tank." He stated that about 1.5 hours into the flight the engine lost power, and his attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot stated that when the engine lost power, the airplane was at 2700 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) over wooded, hilly terrain. He reported that he tried to land on a golf course, but the airplane touched down in a clump of trees short of the intended landing site. The aircraft was examined at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. The examination revealed no fuel in the carburetor bowl. The FAA Inspector stated that the expected fuel consumption for the accident airplane/engine is 6.5 gallons per hour at 6300-6500 RPM. He reported that the accident airplane had previously only completed short flights, so the actual fuel consumption of that airplane had not been documented. The FAA Inspector also stated that the aircraft manufacturer recommended installing a low fuel warning system. The accident airplane was not equipped with that system. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N226WR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N226WR-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 226 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RUDY KITFOX 1 - Registry model: [Rudy Wayne David KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/rudy-wayne-david-kitfox) (registry code 05623QN) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 226 - Airframe hours: 82 - Engines: ROTAX 532LC 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wayne D Rudy - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1995, 32 hours before - Departed: FVX, FARMVILLE, VA - Destination: 8W2, NEW MARKET, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 54 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CHO, 40 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 19951001030699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951001030699A), Oct 1, 1995: Amtrdf KITFOX, Charlottsville, VA, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel en route. Struck trees landing on a golf course. Homebuilt has limited fuel range. 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.