# NTSB CEN11LA041: Donegan Benton Kitfox II, N8700T, Seguin, TX, October 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 2010, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Seguin, TX - Coordinates: 29.505277, -97.991386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5053&lon=-97.9914&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 77679 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77679/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77679 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA041 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel on board and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control following an engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Donegan Benton KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05624GM), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Donegan Benton KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05624GM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Donegan Benton KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=05624GM), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Donegan Benton KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05624GM), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Donegan Benton KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05624GM), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Donegan Benton KITFOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05624GM), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses observed the airplane climb after takeoff. While still at a low altitude, the airplane was seen to bank to the right, enter a spin, and impact the ground in a near vertical attitude. Witnesses who responded to the scene reported smelling fuel but did not see any fuel dripping from the wreckage. The fuel lines, fuel filter, and fuel bowl were examined and no fuel was found. The lack of fuel combined with no evidence of propeller rotation during impact is consistent with a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 27, 2010, about 1600 central daylight time, a Donegan Benton Kitfox II experimental airplane, N8700T, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain while departing Elm Creek Airpark (0TX6), Seguin, Texas. The private pilot was fatally injured. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. A witness observed the airplane climb out after takeoff. While still at a low altitude, just over a set of power lines, the airplane was seen to bank to the right, enter a spin, and impact the ground near vertical. The witness responded to the scene and reported smelling fuel, but did not see any fuel dripping from the wreckage. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 69, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His last third class medical certificate was issued on October 16, 2006. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the pilot had approximately 2,200 total flight hours. The pilot’s flight logbooks were not located during the investigation. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The homebuilt airplane was of a high wing, two-seat, tailwheel configuration with steel frame and fabric construction. The airplane was powered by a Rotax 582UL two-cycle engine rated at 65 horsepower, driving a GCS Systems N750 three-bladed propeller. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather observations at 1551 at New Braunfels (KBAZ), Texas, about 15 miles northwest of the accident site, recorded winds calm, clear skies, visibility seven miles, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit (F), and dew point 65 degrees F. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was examined on scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. He reported both wings were damaged, the landing gear were crushed, and the fuselage was twisted. One propeller blade was damaged and folded under the wreckage. The remaining two blades were undamaged and there was no evidence of rotational impact damage found on the propeller assembly. The engine was pushed back and to the airplane’s right. The fuel lines, gascolator fuel filter, and carburetor bowl were examined and no fuel was found. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Central Texas Autopsy, PLLC, located in Lockhart, Texas, performed an autopsy on the pilot on October 29, 2010. The cause of death was attributed to multiple traumatic injuries. The FAA, Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. Testing for carbon monoxide and cyanide were negative. No volatiles or drugs were detected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8700T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8700T-2012-10-19), registration cancelled 2012-10-19, S/N 285 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Donegan Benton Kitfox II - Registry model: [Donegan Benton KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/donegan-benton-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05624GM) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 285 - Airframe hours: 605 - Engines: Rotax 582UL reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James L. Best - Registered owner: James L. Best - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 0TX6, Seguine, TX - Destination: 0TX6, Seguine, TX - Airport: 0TX6, Elm Creek Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,200 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KBAZ ## 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 20101027051289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101027051289A), Oct 27, 2010: Donegan Ben KITFOX II, Seguin, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Eye witnesses on the ground stated they watched aircraft take off and shortly there after aircraft banked hard right then did two spins and hit the ground nose… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77679. 1.4 MB in all. - FAA Photos (.jpg not available) (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376007&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photos%20(.jpg%20not%20available)-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376012&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memo for Record - Information from FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20-%20Information%20from%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376029&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.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.