# NTSB CHI95LA117: Lewis KR-2, N49TF, Ogallala, NE, April 6, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1995, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Ogallala, NE
- Coordinates: 41.130458, -101.719818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1305&lon=-101.7198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA117

## Probable cause

the owner/builder's improper maintenance (installation).  Factors were the carburetor reversed and the mixture control cable not secured.

## 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
  - fuel system,carburetor - reversed (contributing factor)
  - mixture control,cable - not secured (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/builder (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON ITS FIRST FLIGHT.  DURING THE TAKEOFF A HARD LANDING OCCURRED AFTER A LOSS OF POWER.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR WAS MOUNTED UPSIDE DOWN AND THAT THE MIXTURE CONTROL CABLE (ARM) WAS NOT SECURED AND COMPLETE POWER CHECKS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED.

## Factual narrative

On April 6, 1995, at 0915 mountain daylight time, a Lewis KR-2 (amateur built) airplane, N49TF, received substantial damage during an aborted takeoff on runway 8 (4,502' x 75' dry/asphalt), at Ogallala, Nebraska.  The private pilot reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being operated in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The local flight was on the initial takeoff at the time of the accident.

This was the first flight of this amateur built airplane.  The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne and was sensitive in pitch and roll.  He said that after several oscillations he realized that continued flight was not possible due to a power loss whereafter the airplane landed hard on the runway.

A post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the carburetor was mounted upside down and that manipulation of the cockpit mixture control failed to position the carburetor mixture control arm due to cable flex and a complete ground power check was not possible.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49TF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49TF-2018-12-04), registration cancelled 2018-12-04, S/N DRL1, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEWIS KR-2
- Registry model: [Lewis Donald R KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-donald-r-kr-2) (registry code 05648CJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DRL-1
- Engines: Volkswagen 1835 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fortik, Terry L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: SAE
- Airport: SAE, Searle Field, runway 8, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 106 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IML, 43 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 19950406007459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950406007459A), Apr 6, 1995: Amtr KR2, Ogallala, NE, Substantial damage. First flight of homebuilt. Oscillated due sensitive pitch. Engine quit. Carburetor upside down. Mixture loose.

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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