# NTSB CHI92DEM03: Johansen Kitfox, N820FL, Gowen, MI, July 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1992, 20:45 local (Jul 7, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Gowen, MI
- Coordinates: 43.250282, -85.299728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2503&lon=-85.2997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEM03

## Probable cause

A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM SPARK PLUGS AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS ON ITS INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY CEASED TO OPERATE.  THE PILOT TURNED TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH LARGE OAK TREES AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH SMALLER PINE TREES DURING ITS APPROACH AND LANDING ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANDING FIELD. THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE TWO CYLINDER, TWO STROKE ENGINE HAD FOUR SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED WHICH DID NOT FIRE WHEN UNDER A CYLINDER COMPRESSION CONFIGURATION. THE SPARK PLUG GAP WAS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RANGE.  THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE WHEN PERFORMING A MAGNETO CHECK DURING THE PRE-TAKEOFF RUNUP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N820FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N820FL-2003-02-07), registration cancelled 2003-02-07, S/N 580, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHANSEN KITFOX
- Registry model: [Johansen Geroge A KITFOX MODEL 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/johansen-geroge-a-kitfox-model-2) (registry code 05616J5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 580
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: ROTAX 582UL 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johansen, George A
- Registered owner: Johansen, George A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1992, 15 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 353 total, 70 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 25 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 19920706024359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920706024359A), Jul 6, 1992: Amtrdf KITFOX, Gowen, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Struck trees on forced landing. Three or four spark plugs failed to spark.

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.

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