# NTSB CHI04LA145: Betchan KR II, N250KB, Rapid City, SD, June 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 2004, 13:02 local (19:02 UTC) - Place: Rapid City, SD - Coordinates: 44.045276, -103.057502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0453&lon=-103.0575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59415/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA145 ## Probable cause Failure of the engine rocker arm installation resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the power lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane was destroyed by an in-flight collision with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the takeoff was routine through 300-400 feet above ground level (agl) when the engine lost and then regained power. He was attempting to return to the airport when the engine lost power again. He reportedly turned to the left in order to avoid some hills in front of the aircraft. He maneuvered the aircraft again to avoid power lines "only to stall-slide into the terrain." The aircraft impacted the side of a small hill less than one-quarter mile west of the airport. A post-accident examination revealed that the left valve cover and rocker arms had separated from the engine. The valve cover and three of the four rocker arms were present in the vicinity of the engine. The fourth rocker arm was not located. The left side valve push rods had also separated from the engine and were located in the debris. The valve cover was dented in a manner consistent with impacts to the internal side of the cover. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2004, at 1302 mountain daylight time, an amateur-built Betchan KR II, N250KB, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from runway 32 (8,701 feet by 150 feet, concrete) at the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), Rapid City, South Dakota. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was departing RAP at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot reported that the takeoff was routine through 300-400 feet above ground level (agl) when the engine lost and then regained power. He notified the RAP control tower and was attempting to return to the airport when the engine lost power again. He reportedly turned to the left in order to avoid some hills in front of the aircraft. He maneuvered the aircraft again to avoid power lines "only to stall-slide into the terrain." The aircraft impacted the side of a small hill less than one-quarter mile west of the airport. A post-accident examination revealed that the left valve cover and rocker arms had separated from the engine. The valve cover and three of the four rocker arms were present in the vicinity of the engine. The fourth rocker arm was not located. In addition, the left side valve push rods had also separated from the engine and were located in the debris. The valve cover was dented in a manner consistent with impacts to the internal side of the cover. The cylinder heads and valves appeared intact. Continuity of the remaining engine components was verified through crankshaft rotation. The carburetor and gascolator separated during impact. The wooden propeller was shattered, however, the hub remained attached to the propeller flange. Flight control continuity was verified. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N250KB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N250KB-2007-08-11), registration cancelled 2007-08-11, S/N D-002, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Betchan KR II - Registry model: [Betchan Don KR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/betchan-don-kr-ii) (registry code 05648YJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: D-002 - Engines: Volkswagen 1834 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: RAP, Rapid City, SD - Airport: RAP, Rapid City Regional, runway 32, 8,701 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 18, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 450 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: RAP ## 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 20040607010499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040607010499A), Jun 7, 2004: Amtr KR2, Rapid City, SD, Destroyed. (-23) At 1102 MDT on 06-07-04, the commercial pilot departed runway 32 at Rapid City Regional Airport. At about 300' AGL, the engine quit. The pilot initially… 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.