# NTSB MIA92LA155: Dewitt, Richard A. Kitfox, N70629, Vero Beach, FL, July 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1992, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.63935, -80.390014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6394&lon=-80.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA155

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING IN A GROVE AT WHICH TIME THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

PILOT STATED ENGINE QUIT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT DOWNWIND DEPARTURE. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A GROVE OF TREES AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE DURING ROLLOUT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IN THE PRESENCE OF AN FAA INSPECTOR. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH FOR A FEW MOMENTS AFTER STARTING AND THEN OPERATED NORMALLY. THE PILOT STATED HE FOUND DIRT IN THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70629](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70629-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 69, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEWITT, RICHARD A. KITFOX
- Registry model: [Dewitt Rechard A KITFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/dewitt-rechard-a-kitfox) (registry code 056122H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 69
- Airframe hours: 262
- Engines: ROTAX 532UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kirby, Floyd D.
- Registered owner: Kirby, Floyd D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1992, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 653 total, 45 in this make and model, 653 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 7 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 19920728027899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920728027899A), Jul 28, 1992: Amtrdf KITFOX, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind for private strip. Landing in a grove wing hit tree. Dirt in fuel system.

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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