# NTSB MIA89LA114: Dyar KIT FOX, N70396, Purvis, MS, March 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1989, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Purvis, MS
- Coordinates: 31.139881, -89.400596 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1399&lon=-89.4006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA114

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE'S REAR PISTON.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S LACK OF ALTITUDE FOR A FORCED LANDING AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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, climb
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD FLOWN THE HOMEBUILT ACFT ABOUT 6 HRS SINCE CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED.  HE STATED HE WAS FLYING NEAR A FRIEND'S HOUSE AT ABOUT 100 FT & PULLED UP INTO A CLIMB TO RETURN HOME.  WHILE PASSING THRU ABOUT 200 FT, THE ENG 'CHOKED' & HE MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO LAND IN A FIELD.  JUST BEFORE LANDING, THE RGT WING STRUCK A TREE & THE ACFT CRASHED.  AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE REAR PISTON HAD FAILED FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70396](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70396-1995-07-27), registration cancelled 1995-07-27, S/N 266 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DYAR KIT FOX
- Registry model: [Dyar Barnard KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/dyar-barnard-kitfox) (registry code 0561691) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 266
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barnard Dyar
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCB, 56 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 19890325004749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890325004749A), Mar 25, 1989: Amtrdf KITFOX, Purvis, MS, Substantial damage. Engine quit after a low pass near a friends home. Struck a tree trying to land. Rear cylinder had failed.

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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