# NTSB GAA15CA029: Kerr John A Kitfox Classic IV, N195KF, Logan, UT, March 28, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 28, 2015, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Logan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.846942, -111.953887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8469&lon=-111.9539&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Salt Lake City FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90967/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90967
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA029

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection/planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and a loss of engine power en route.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kerr John A KITFOX CLASSIC IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05602A7), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Kerr John A KITFOX CLASSIC IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05602A7), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kerr John A KITFOX CLASSIC IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05602A7), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Kerr John A KITFOX CLASSIC IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=05602A7), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Kerr John A KITFOX CLASSIC IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05602A7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot departed for a local flight with an indication on the fuel gauges of approximately one quarter per tank of fuel. The pilot stated he did not perform a visual inspection of the fuel tanks during his pre-flight procedures. About 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot returned to the airport. Prior to reaching the airport, the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot selected a field for a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe of engine that would have precluded normal operation. An examination of the airplane at the accident site by an FAA air safety inspector revealed there was no fuel in the tanks.

## Factual narrative

The pilot departed for a local flight with an indication on the fuel gauges of approximately one quarter per tank of fuel. The pilot stated he did not perform a visual inspection of the fuel tanks during his pre-flight procedures. About 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot returned to the airport. Prior to reaching the airport, the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot selected a field for a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe of engine that would have precluded normal operation. An examination of the airplane at the accident site by an FAA air safety inspector revealed there was no fuel in the tanks.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N195KF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N195KF), registered now, S/N C94110085, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KERR JOHN A KITFOX CLASSIC IV (IV)
- Registry model: [Kerr John A KITFOX CLASSIC IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/kerr-john-a-kitfox-classic-iv) (registry code 05602A7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: C94110085
- Year built: 1996
- Airframe hours: 934.5
- Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kerr John A
- Registered owner: Kerr John A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, December 24, 2014
- Departed: LGU, LOGAN, UT
- Destination: LGU, LOGAN, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review November 19, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,254 total, 924 in this make and model, 1,159 as pilot in command, 8.3 in the last 90 days, 5.5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KLGU, 6 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 20150328003449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150328003449A), Mar 28, 2015: Kerr John A KITFOX CLASSIC IV, Logan, UT, Substantial damage. On March 28, 2015, pilot checked the fuel quantity indicators as part of his pre-flight and saw he had about a quarter tank of fuel. Pilot did not visually…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90967.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of airplane front (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20front%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View of airplane side (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20side%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 – View of frame crack (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 898 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20frame%20crack%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 – View of frame separation (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20frame%20separation%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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