# NTSB CHI08CA088: Shaffer KR-2, N455JS, Fremont, OH, February 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 24, 2008, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Fremont, OH - Coordinates: 41.333057, -83.161109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3331&lon=-83.1611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cleveland, OH, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67645 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67645/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA088 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Shaffer John Thomas KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05648RE), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Shaffer John Thomas KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05648RE), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated; cases with it: [Shaffer John Thomas KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=05648RE), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Shaffer John Thomas KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05648RE), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Shaffer John Thomas KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05648RE), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Shaffer John Thomas KR-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=05648RE), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with snow and terrain during a wheels up landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff. The pilot's accident report listed no mechanical malfunctions reference the airplane during the accident flight. The plot of the intersection of the local temperature and dewpoint on a carburetor icing chart fell in the serious icing - descent power range. ## Factual narrative The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with snow and terrain during a wheels up landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff. The pilot's accident report listed no mechanical malfunctions reference the airplane during the accident flight. The plot of the intersection of the local temperature and dewpoint on a carburetor icing chart fell in the serious icing - descent power range. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N455JS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N455JS), registered now, S/N 8009, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Shaffer KR-2 - Registry model: [Shaffer John Thomas KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaffer-john-thomas-kr-2) (registry code 05648RE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 8009 - Airframe hours: 262 - Engines: Volkswagen Conversion 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007 - Departed: 14G, Fremont, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 511 total, 308 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: TDZ ## 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 20080224835449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080224835449A), Feb 24, 2008: Amtr KR2, Fremont, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that engine lost power at gear retraction after takeoff on runway 27 at 14G. Pilot then tried to restart engine with unsatisfactory results.… ## Other investigations on N455JS (2) 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. - [NTSB ERA26LA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA347), Sep 20, 2026: Shaffer John Thomas KR-2 (N455JS), Westminster, OH, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ATL86LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA094), Mar 15, 1986: Shaffer KR-2 (N455JS), Mobile, AL, substantial damage 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.