# NTSB CHI01LA185: Kaines Kitfox 2, N789MK, Mt. Morris, MI, June 23, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2001, 18:03 local (22:03 UTC) - Place: Mt. Morris, MI - Coordinates: 43.109176, -83.689971 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1092&lon=-83.6900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 52580 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52580/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA185 ## Probable cause The loss of partial engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons. A factor relating to this accident was the tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that during the takeoff roll, everything seemed to be all right. He said he began to notice that the power was diminishing as he got further down the runway. He said that he was beyond the point where he could safely abort. He got about 30 feet into the air and realized the airplane was not going to sustain flight. The pilot decided to put the airplane down in a nearby pasture. During the landing attempt, the airplane's wing struck a tree and then the ground. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2001, at 1803 eastern daylight time, a Kaines Kitfox 2, N789MK, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck a tree and terrain after taking off from runway 32 (900 feet by 45 feet, grass/turf) at a privately-owned airstrip near Mt. Morris, Michigan. During the takeoff and initial climb, the pilot reported a partial loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot said that during the takeoff roll, everything seemed to be all right. He said he began to notice that the power was diminishing as he got further down the runway. He said that he was beyond the point where he could safely abort. He got about 30 feet into the air and realized the airplane was not going to sustain flight. The pilot said he decided to put the airplane down in a nearby pasture. During the landing attempt, the airplane's wing struck a tree and then the ground. The pilot said that both of the airplane's wings were bent aft, the main landing gear were broken aft, and one propeller blade was broken off. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: N789MK (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: KAINES KITFOX 2 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 454 - Airframe hours: 375 - Engines: Rotax 582UL 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles G. Clark - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2001, 2 hours before - Departed: MT. MORRIS, MI - Airport: Private, runway 32, 900 × 45 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review April 26, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 225 total, 25 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 10 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 20010623020289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010623020289A), Jun 23, 2001: Amtr 2, Flint, MI, No damage. (.19) On June 23, 2001, at 1803 eastern daylight time, a kaines Kitfox 2, N789MK, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck a… 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.