# NTSB CEN10CA461: Wing Kitfox II, N389HW, Park Rapids, MN, August 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2010, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Park Rapids, MN - Coordinates: 47.057498, -94.925003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0575&lon=-94.9250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA461 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76861/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76861 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA461 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to adequately flare during the water landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056163S), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot noted a partial loss of engine power in the float-equipped airplane. His corrective actions did not restore full engine power and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. He reduced engine power to flight idle and entered a rapid descent to a nearby lake. He noted that the engine continued to operate while in the flight idle position. Due to the size constraints of the lake, the landing was firm and that the airplane nosed over shortly after touchdown. The fuselage primary structure, left horizontal stabilizer, right float and support structure, and left wing spar were substantially damaged during the accident. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity between the cockpit controls and the individual flight control surfaces. Fuel system continuity was established between the fuel control and carburetor. The examination did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative The float-equipped airplane was on a local area flight when the pilot noted a partial loss of engine power. The pilot's corrective actions did not restore full engine power and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. He reduced engine power to flight idle and entered a rapid descent into a nearby lake. He noted that the engine continued to operate while in the flight idle position. He reported that due to the size constraints of the lake, the landing was "necessarily firm" and that the airplane nosed over shortly after touchdown. The fuselage primary structure, left horizontal stabilizer, right float and support structure, and left wing spar were substantially damaged during the accident. A post-accident inspection confirmed flight control continuity existed between the cockpit controls and the individual flight control surfaces. Fuel system continuity was established between the fuel control and carburetor. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified with the engine during the post-accident inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N389HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N389HW-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 389 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wing Kitfox II - Registry model: [Wing Harold KITFOX MODEL 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/wing-harold-kitfox-model-2) (registry code 056163S) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 389 - Airframe hours: 152 - Engines: Bombardier Rotax 532 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2010, 1 hours before - Departed: Park Rapids, MN - Destination: Park Rapids, MN - Airport: Petit Lake ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KPKD, 3 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 20100802042989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100802042989A), Aug 2, 2010: Wing Harold KITFOX MODE, Park Rapids, MN, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that there was a drop in engine RPM and was unable to maintain altitude. The weather report at the time of this incident indicates there was a… ## Other investigations on N389HW (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 CEN13CA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA230), Apr 16, 2013: Wing Harold Kitfox II (N389HW), Blaine, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper touchdown and subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76861. 994 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 947 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.