# NTSB DEN86FTM02: Denney Aerocraft Kitfox, N85LA, Ogden, UT, May 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1986, 18:36 local (May 20, 1986, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.210365, -111.969284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2104&lon=-111.9693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FTM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FTM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition lead - disabled (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT HAD A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. THE LEFT WING THEN DIPPED SHARPLY & THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE LOW DESCENT & CRASHED ON THE NW CORNER OF THE ARPT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A NOISE SUPPRESSOR WAS INSTALLED ON ONE OF 2 SPARK PLUG WIRES OF THE 2 CYLINDER ENGINE TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE HAND HELD, 2-WAY RADIO. DUE TO A DEFICIENCY IN THE NOISE SUPPRESSOR, THERE WAS NO CONTINUITY IN THAT RESPECTIVE WIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85LA-1991-12-03), registration cancelled 1991-12-03, S/N 14 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DENNEY AEROCRAFT KITFOX
- Registry model: [Anderson Louis W KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/anderson-louis-w-kitfox) (registry code 05613LZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 14
- Airframe hours: 60
- Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Louis W. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1986, 50 hours before
- Airport: OGD, Ogden Muni, runway 34, 5,352 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 60 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGD, 1 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 19860519018609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860519018609A), May 19, 1986: Amtrdf KITFOX, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. Partial power loss on takeoff. Stalled and impacted ground. Noise arrestor circuitry with no continuity.

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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