# NTSB CEN20LA424: Kitfox Speedster, N525PP, Leadville, CO, September 24, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 24, 2020, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Leadville, CO - Coordinates: 39.2508, -106.2925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2508&lon=-106.2925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA SDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102055 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA424 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102055/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102055 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA424 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper maintenance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Phillips Paul Henry KITFOX SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md?model=05602WJ), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Phillips Paul Henry KITFOX SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05602WJ), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Phillips Paul Henry KITFOX SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05602WJ), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Phillips Paul Henry KITFOX SPEEDSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05602WJ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that the airplane used more runway than expected to get airborne. After rotating, the airplane settled back to the runway surface, then became airborne again. The airplane did not climb normally despite the throttle being in the full power position. The pilot decided to land the airplane straight ahead in a field. Upon landing, the right wing impacted a small tree, and the airplane came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed a plugged carburetor breather tube that was not impact related damage. The pilot reported that he plugged the tube with a screw 2 days before the accident, mistakenly thinking that it was a primer line. The plugged breather tube most likely created a back pressure of fuel distribution to the cylinders and resulted in partial fuel starvation to the engine. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 2020, about 1430 mountain daylight time, a Kitfox Speedster, N525PP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Leadville, Colorado. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he filled both fuel tanks before the prefight at the Lake County Airport (LXV), Leadville, Colorado. The pilot taxied to runway 34 and began the takeoff. The pilot stated that although the initial engine runup was normal, it seemed like the airplane used more runway than expected during the takeoff roll. The airplane became airborne, settled back onto the runway surface, and became airborne again. The pilot stated that the airplane did not climb normally at the departure end of the runway and the engine rpm was in the low 4,000s. The airplane descended despite the throttle being in the full power position. The pilot contemplated a turn back to the airport, but instead decided to land the airplane straight ahead into a field containing short pine trees. The right wing struck a small tree, and the airplane came to rest on the ground against another tree. The right wing and empennage were bent and twisted. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed a plugged carburetor breather tube that was not impact related damage. The pilot reported that he plugged the tube with a screw two days before the accident. He mistakenly plugged the tube, thinking that it was it was a primer line. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N525PP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N525PP), registered now, S/N JBS069, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kitfox Speedster (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Phillips Paul Henry KITFOX SPEEDSTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/phillips-paul-henry-kitfox-speedster) (registry code 05602WJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 069 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 2388 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 10, 2020, 22 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,432 total, 450 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: LXV, 0.3 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 14, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102055. 5.1 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN20LA424 (item 1, PDF, 14 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13037436&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN20LA424_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN20LA424 (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13036810&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN20LA424-Rel.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.