# NTSB ERA09CA149: D-Fly UL Stork, N620KJ, Jackson, GA, January 31, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 31, 2009, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Jackson, GA - Coordinates: 33.319999, -83.942497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3200&lon=-83.9425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent activation of an engine cutoff switch during cruise flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [D-Fly UL STORK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05903PG), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [D-Fly UL STORK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=05903PG), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Engine controls: emergency shutdown system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057620): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [D-Fly UL STORK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057620/cases.md?model=05903PG), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057620/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [D-Fly UL STORK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05903PG), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [D-Fly UL STORK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903PG), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the experimental, amateur-built airplane was in cruise flight at 1,500 ft above ground level when he shut down the engine by inadvertently activating an unguarded engine cutoff switch that was recently installed on the control stick. After two unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, he performed an off-field landing to a golf course. During the landing roll the airplane impacted a metal box resulting in damage to the landing gear, propeller, and left wing strut. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner of an experimental, amateur built, UL Stork was in cruise flight at 1,500 ft agl, when he shut down the engine by inadvertently activating a recently installed, unguarded, engine cutoff switch located on the control stick. After two unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, he performed an off field landing to a golf course. During the landing roll the airplane impacted a metal box resulting in damage to the landing gear, propeller, and left wing strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N620KJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N620KJ), registered now, S/N 002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: D-Fly UL Stork - Registry model: [D-Fly UL STORK](https://openairdocs.org/model/d-fly-ul-stork) (registry code 05903PG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-12f) (registry code 17183, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 002 - Airframe hours: 44 - Engines: Continental Motor C90-12F 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 25, 2009, 4 hours before - Departed: 62GA, Jackson, GA - Destination: 10GA, Griffin, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 2,250 total, 42 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: FFC, 18 nm away 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.