# NTSB LAX94LA034: Silver KR2, N8SJ, Fontana, CA, October 31, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1993, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Fontana, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099967, -117.379783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1000&lon=-117.3798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA034

## Probable cause

the separation of an engine coolant hose which resulted in a complete loss of engine power.

## 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, cruise
  - cooling system,lines - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

The pilot reported that this was the first actual flight of the newly certificated experimental aircraft which was equipped with a modified Subaru automobile engine.  The pilot said he had been airborne for about 15 minutes when a spray of coolant appeared on his windshield.  The engine subsequently quit and the aircraft collided with high vegetation and ground obstructions during a forced landing in a field.  The pilot said that a coolant hose separated.

## Factual narrative

On October 31, 1993, at 1415 Pacific standard time, a homebuilt experimental Silver KR2 airplane, N8SJ, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing in Fontana, California.  The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, was on its first test flight following construction and certification.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.  The flight originated at the Rialto, California, airport on the day of the mishap at 1400 hours as a local area test flight.

The pilot reported that this was the first actual flight of the newly certificated experimental aircraft, which was equipped with a modified Subaru automobile engine.  The pilot said he had been airborne for about 15 minutes when a spray of coolant appeared on his windshield.  The engine subsequently quit and the aircraft collided with high vegetation and ground obstructions during a forced landing in a field.  The pilot said that a coolant hose separated.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8SJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8SJ-1994-05-02), registration cancelled 1994-05-02, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SILVER KR2
- Registry model: [Silver Jack KR-2 MODIFIED](https://openairdocs.org/model/silver-jack-kr-2-modified) (registry code 056483C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: SUBARU EA82 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Silver
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: L67, RIALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19931031041259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931031041259A), Oct 31, 1993: Amtr KR2, Fontana, CA, Substantial damage. Coolant spray on windshield during first test flight. Engine quit. Crash landed. Coolant hose had separated.

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.