# NTSB MIA08CA183: Smith Wylie Jay Kit Fox II, N8188F, Deatville, AL, September 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2008, 17:44 local (21:44 UTC) - Place: Deatville, AL - Coordinates: 32.601665, -86.400001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6017&lon=-86.4000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68878 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68878/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA183 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel system maintenance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Wylie Jay KIT FOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=05628GF), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Wylie Jay KIT FOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05628GF), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified; cases with it: [Smith Wylie Jay KIT FOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05628GF), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193); cases with it: [Smith Wylie Jay KIT FOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=05628GF), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith Wylie Jay KIT FOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05628GF), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Smith Wylie Jay KIT FOX II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628GF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built Kit Fox II had been trouble-shooting an intermittent engine problem. He completed replacing the fuel hoses from the fuel tank to the carburetors. The in-line fuel filters were not installed at that time. The pilot elected to fly to a private airstrip that was 20 minutes away. Upon his return flight from the private strip, during initial climb, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing into an area of small pine trees. The postaccident examination revealed that debris was lodged in the fuel inlet port of the carburetor, preventing normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amateur-built Kit Fox II stated that he completed an approximate 20-minute cross-country flight uneventfully. While in flight, the airplane performed well with no problems, and he landed at a private airstrip. After the visit, he elected to depart back to his home airport. No anomalies were detected during the ground run-up. During the takeoff, about 150 feet above ground level, the engine "failed." The pilot elected not to land straight ahead due to the large trees. He entered a gentle turn to the left and aimed for a patch of small pine trees. When the impact became imminent, he slowed the airplane as much as possible. The airplane impacted the top of the trees about 30 mph. After breaking off several small tops, the right wing contacted a large tree. Upon this impact, the airplane stopped forward motion and began to descend to the ground. The right wing caught a branch and the airplane impacted the ground left wing tip first. The pilot was able to exit the airplane on his own and was uninjured. The postaccident examination discovered that small particles of debris in the fuel had lodged in the fuel inlet port of the carburetor. The pilot had been trouble-shooting an intermittent engine problem and had just replaced the fuel hoses from the fuel tank to the carburetors before the flight. He did not reinstall the fuel in-line filters at that time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8188F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8188F-2008-12-18), registration cancelled 2008-12-18, S/N 378, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith Wylie Jay Kit Fox II - Registry model: [Smith Wylie Jay KIT FOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-wylie-jay-kit-fox-ii) (registry code 05628GF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 378 - Airframe hours: 857 - Engines: Rotax 592 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 9, 2007 - Departed: NONE, Deatville, AL - Destination: O8A, Wetumpka, AL - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 16, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 500 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: MGM ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20080905849179I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080905849179I), Sep 5, 2008: Amtr KITFOXII, Deatsville, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot flew from wetumptka, AL (08A) to a private strip in Deatsville, AL with no problems. After about twenty minutes the pilot departed from the private… 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.