# NTSB LAX05LA319: Rose Kitfox, N656T, Hesperia, CA, September 27, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 2005, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Hesperia, CA - Coordinates: 34.366664, -117.300003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3667&lon=-117.3000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62565 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62565/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA319 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to a loose master ignition relay wire. ## 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 - ignition system,ignition lead - loose (cause) - ignition system - inoperative (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - submerged object - object - tree(s) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The engine lost power during the takeoff initial climb and the airplane collided with obstacles and nosed over during the ensuing forced landing. The pilot said the engine backfired and lost power and he attempted to restart the engine several times without success. He then made an emergency off-airport landing in an open field straight ahead. Shortly after touchdown the right main landing gear struck a buried tree stump. The airplane veered to the right and nosed over. An examination of the engine revealed a loose master ignition relay wire. The Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator (a principle maintenance inspector) tightened the wire, added engine oil, and successfully ground ran the engine. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2005, about 1000 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Rose Kitfox, N656T, experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff, and collided with obstacles during a forced landing in an open field southwest of Hesperia Airport (L26), Hesperia, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The noncertificated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed Hesperia about 0957, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was destined for Chino. According to the pilot, he arrived at CNO and conducted a complete preflight of the airplane that included checking the fuel for contamination. No discrepancies were noted with the preflight, taxi, run-up, or takeoff, or the ensuing flight to Hesperia. Once he arrived at the airport, he picked up a passenger and flew in the local area for about 45 minutes. After returning to L26 to drop off his passenger, he refueled the airplane with 20 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel. He departed from L26, runway 21, for the return trip to CNO at 0957. The pilot reported no discrepancies with the engine prior to takeoff. He indicated that the takeoff roll and liftoff were normal, with a 1,000- to 1,200-foot-per-minute climb at 70 miles per hour (mph). The climb out was normal until the engine backfired and quit; he noted the altitude to be about 1,000 to 1,200 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot looked over his left shoulder to see how far away the airport was and did not believe a return to the airport would be prudent for a safe landing. The pilot stated that he continued straight ahead, and lowered the nose to maintain best glide. He pulled back the throttle to the start position, and then attempted to restart the engine three times while looking for a suitable off-airport landing spot. He noted a loss of altitude and setup for an emergency landing. The pilot reported that he slowed the airplane down (50-55 mph), and maintained level flight. The right main landing gear touched down first and the airplane was immediately "jerked" to the right. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. After coming to a stop, the pilot released himself from his seat restraints and exited the airplane. He reported that after touchdown the right main landing gear had contacted a buried tree stump. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident coordinator (a principal maintenance inspector) inspected the engine at Chino Airport on October 11, 2005. He identified the engine as a Subaru, EA-81-108-TBI serial number 321982, which was rebuilt by NSI Propulsion Company. Total time on the engine was 67.9 hours. During the visual examination he reported that the air filter was not attached to the intake stack and was deformed. He also noted a loose wire to the master ignition relay for the ignition system. There were no other mechanical anomalies noted with the engine inspection. In order to facilitate an engine ground run, the accident coordinator tightened the wire, and added engine oil. The engine started and ran normally. He reported that the loose master ignition relay caused the engine to backfire and stall. The pilot held a student pilot certificate that expired in 2001. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N656T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N656T-2007-10-23), registration cancelled 2007-10-23, S/N 9405-009, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rose Kitfox - Registry model: [Rose James E KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/rose-james-e-kitfox) (registry code 0560135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 9405-009 - Airframe hours: 665.3 - Engines: Subaru EA-81-108-TBI 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Chandler - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2004, 67.9 hours before - Departed: L26, Hesperia, CA - Destination: CNO, Chino, CA - Airport: L26, Hesperia Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 574 total, 564 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ONT, 24 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 20050927025309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050927025309A), Sep 27, 2005: Amtr KITFOX, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft backfired twice and lost power after takeoff, pilot executed a forced landing into a dry river bed hit a stump and came to rest upside down. 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.