# NTSB CHI03LA002: Tanner Kitfox, N633KF, Coldwater, MI, October 2, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 2002, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC) - Place: Coldwater, MI - Coordinates: 41.933612, -85.05278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9336&lon=-85.0528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55823/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA002 ## Probable cause The low altitude at which an undetermined loss of engine power occurred following takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane received substantial damage during a forced landing. The instructional flight experienced a total loss of engine power during the eighth takeoff in a series of touch and go landings. The airplane was climbing through 200 feet above ground level when the engine quit and a left 90-degree turn was executed so as to land in a grassy area. An engine restart was not attempted. Examination of the wreckage confirmed flight control continuity, electrical continuity of the ignition system, engine continuity, and engine compression. Fuel was found in both engine carburetors, oil was found within the engine, and coolant was present in the coolant tank. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 2002, at 1912 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Tanner Kitfox, N633KF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a takeoff from runway 03 (3,500 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Branch County Memorial Airport, Coldwater, Michigan. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot were uninjured. The local flight originated at 1800. The CFI stated that they were performing touch and go's and at 200 feet above ground during the eighth takeoff, there was a total loss of engine power. They then made a left 90-degree turn to a grassy area without attempting to restart the engine. He stated that the airplane impacted at a high sink rate. Examination of the wreckage was performed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The airplane was resting inverted about 220 feet west of the centerline and 300 feet from the approach end of runway 21. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The fuel shut off valve was in the on position. The airplane was powered by a Rotax 582LC, serial number 3916612, engine with a total time since overhaul of 232.7 hours and 6 hours were since its last inspection. The engine contained oil and coolant water was present in the coolant tank. Fuel was present in the fuel tank and in both carburetor bowls. The engine was rotated by hand and thumb compression and continuity were confirmed. Electrical continuity of the engine was confirmed upon examination of the ignition system. The spark plugs did not contain debris. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N633KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N633KF-2018-03-15), registration cancelled 2018-03-15, S/N 633, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tanner Kitfox - Registry model: [Tanner Edison G KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/tanner-edison-g-kitfox) (registry code 056161X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 633 - Engines: Rotax 582LC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sport Truck LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: OEB, Coldwater, MI - Destination: Unknown - Airport: OEB, Branch County Airport, runway 03, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 24, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 4,200 total, 120 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 7 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: OEB ## 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 20021002038339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021002038339A), Oct 2, 2002: Amtr KITFOX, Coldwater, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor stated that aircraft lost power after completing a touch & go during climb out at about 200 ft AGL. A/c crashed into a field adjacent to rw… 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.