# NTSB CHI93DEP03: Kit Fox IV, N127RF, Green Bay, WI, August 4, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: August 4, 1993, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Green Bay, WI - Coordinates: 44.590164, -88.12075 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5902&lon=-88.1208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9144 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93DEP03 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9144/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DEP03 ## Probable cause the improper modification of the fuel system by the pilot-in-command. A factor was bockage of the fuel system screen. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,screen - blocked(total) (contributing factor) - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE AMATUER BUILT AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A FUEL SYSTEM SCREEN WAS BLOCKED WITH A SUBSTANCE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED WAS A SEALING COMPOUND HE HAD USED IN THE FUEL TANK. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT REMOVE THE FUEL SCREEN WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 4, 1993, at 0930 cdt, an experimental Kit Fox IV, N127RF, registered to Raymond Fulwiler made a forced landing seven (7) miles northeast of Green Bay, Wisconsin, while on a pleasure flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Green Bay, Wisconsin (GRB)on August 4, 1993 AT 0920 cdt. Ten minutes after takeoff, the pilot indicated the engine "sputtered" and stopped, resulting in a forced landing in a willow marsh. The aircraft damage included the wooden propeller, engine cowl and structural failure of the lower cabin area tubular fuselage. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Kit Fox IV is a 2 place side by side, high wing monoplane of truss construction with conventional landing gear. The wing has two (2) aluminum tubular spars, for and aft. The wings carry 12 gallons of fuel in two (2) 6 gallon RH & LH fiber glass wing tanks. The aircraft is powered by a Rotax "912" liquid/air cooled 80 HP engine. TEST AND RESEARCH Both fuel tanks are cap vented (pressure tube). A common fuselage mounted header tank is vented to the RH tank. The vent system was clear and unobstructed. The LH tank was empty. The RH tank had approximately 5 gallons of fuel remaining. The fuel header tank was also empty. When the fuel outlet line was removed from the RH tank, only a small amount of fuel (2oz.) was observed. The RH fuel outlet screen was completely covered with a fuel tank sloshing/sealer compound (trade name --KREEM). This sealing compound obstructed fuel flow by covering and sealing the fuel outlet screen installed in the tank. The pilot/builder indicated he had recently sloshed the tank in an effort to seal a seam leak. He did not remove the outlet screen in the process. When fuel was put in the LH tank, fuel flow was normal and the engine ran with no abnormalities noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N127RF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127RF-2019-05-29), registration cancelled 2019-05-29, S/N 1467 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KIT FOX IV - Registry model: [Fulwiler Ray D KITFOX IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/fulwiler-ray-d-kitfox-iv) (registry code 05623AA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1467 - Airframe hours: 63 - Engines: ROTAX 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fulwiler, Raymond D., doing business as Fulwiler Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Fulwiler, Raymond D. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1993, 2 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,360 total, 63 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Observed at: GRB, 7 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 19930804032799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930804032799A), Aug 4, 1993: Amtrdf KITFOX, Green Bay, WI, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed in a marsh. Fuel tank sloshing sealer blocked tank outlet screen. Screen not removed. 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.