# NTSB DEN08LA053: Phillips Flite Bike, N31559, Valley Center, KS, January 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 26, 2008, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Valley Center, KS - Coordinates: 37.8325, -97.370002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8325&lon=-97.3700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67438/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an emergency descent resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to turn on the fuel tank valve resulting in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622TK), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot the airplane preflight and engine start were normal. He shut the engine down and turned the left fuel tank valve to the off position while he was waiting for a flight partner. He stated that he became distracted once his flight partner had arrived, as he was having difficulties with his engine. Shortly thereafter, he restarted his engine and departed for his local flight. After the departure, the engine lost power. He stated that he lowered the nose to achieve "maximum" airspeed and maneuvered the airplane to avoid several trees. He "could feel the airplane sinking and stalling" and did not have enough "altitude, time, and airspeed to recover." The airplane was substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane systems conducted by the FAA revealed no anomalies. The fuel valve was in the off position. The pilot reported that he "failed to turn on the left fuel tank valve." He stated that he had 7 minutes of fuel in the header tank; just enough to start the engine, taxi, and takeoff. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 2008, approximately 1330 central standard time, a Phillips Flite Bike, N31559, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing near Harrison Airport (private strip), Valley Center, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the accident report form submitted by the pilot, the airplane preflight and engine start were normal. He reported that he was waiting for a "flight partner" to arrive for a local flight. While he was waiting, he shut the engine down and turned the left fuel tank valve to the off position. He stated that he became distracted once his flight partner had arrived, as his flight partner was having difficulties with his engine. Shortly thereafter, the pilot restarted his engine and he departed for his local flight. After the departure, the engine lost power. He stated that he lowered the nose to achieve "maximum" airspeed and maneuvered the airplane to avoid several trees. He "could feel the airplane sinking and stalling" and did not have enough "altitude, time, and airspeed to recover." The left wing impacted the ground followed by the nose of the airplane. Both wings were crushed aft and wrinkled. The empennage separated partially and was bent to the right. An examination of the airplane systems conducted by an airworthiness inspector with the Wichita Federal Aviation Administration revealed no anomalies. The inspector noted that the fuel valve was in the off position. The pilot reported that he "failed to turn on the left fuel tank valve." He stated that he had 7 minutes of fuel in the header tank; just enough to start the engine, taxi, and takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31559](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31559-2008-11-19), registration cancelled 2008-11-19, S/N 0001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Phillips Flite Bike - Registry model: [Phillips Kenneth G FLITE BIKE](https://openairdocs.org/model/phillips-kenneth-g-flite-bike) (registry code 05622TK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0001 - Airframe hours: 79 - Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2008 - Departed: Valley Center, KS - Destination: Valley Center, KS - Airport: Harrison/Redbird Airfield ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 741 total, 79 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: AAO ## 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 20080126010339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080126010339A), Jan 26, 2008: Philli FLIGHTBIKE, Valley Center, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) On 26 January 2008 at 1350 the pilot [privacy data omitted] the sole occupant of N31559, an experimental amateur built aircraft was departing harrison… 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.