# NTSB MIA97LA039: Wiedemann KIT FOX, N19VX, Montgomery, AL, December 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 15, 1996, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Montgomery, AL - Coordinates: 32.510295, -86.560729 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5103&lon=-86.5607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38189 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38189/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA039 ## Probable cause improper installation of a throttle cable clamp by an unknown person, resulting in a loose throttle cable housing and an inability to control the throttle position; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during an approach for an emergency (forced) landing, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - throttle/power lever,cable - improper (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause) - throttle/power lever,cable - loose (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency descent/landing - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The pilot stated that after takeoff, he made a normal climb to 700 feet msl (about 500 feet agl) and turned to a crosswind. At 900 feet msl, he noted a decrease in power, and the engine rpm dropped to about 1,000 rpm. He adjusted the mixture and turned the carburetor heat on, but the airplane would not sustain flight. The pilot initiated a forced landing in an open field with soft terrain, and aligned his approach to furrows in the field. However, according to an FAA inspector, who examined the accident site, there were indications that the airplane impacted the ground in a nose down, left-wing low attitude. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the engine revealed that an Adel clamp, which held the throttle cable in place, was not correctly installed. The rubber bushing was reversed with the split to the inside. The clamp had loosened and would not hold the throttle cable housing, preventing throttle control. ## Factual narrative On December 15, 1996, about 1515 central standard time, a Wiedemann experimental airplane, N19VX, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine rpm on initial takeoff climb, and crashed during a forced landing in the vicinity of Montgomery, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated about 5 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that he turned crosswind at 700 feet and experienced a decrease in engine rpm. He adjusted the mixture and turned the carburetor heat on. The airplane would not sustain flight. He made a forced landing to an open field, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the crash site by the FAA revealed no evidence of any wheel tracks on the ground showing any kind of ground roll. The FAA inspector concluded that the pilot attempted to stretch his glide, stalled the airplane, and crashed about 700 to 1,000 feet short of the runway. Examination of the aircraft engine revealed an Adell clamp holding the throttle cable in place was not installed correctly. The rubber bushing was reversed with the split to the inside, which prevented the throttle housing from moving correctly with a pilot induced throttle application. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19VX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19VX-1997-02-05), registration cancelled 1997-02-05, S/N JVC019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wiedemann KIT FOX - Registry model: [Wiedemann Gary Alan SKYSTAR VIXEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/wiedemann-gary-alan-skystar-vixen) (registry code 05624U7) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JVL019 - Engines: NSI EA-81 98 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary A. Wiedemann - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 1A9, PRATTVILLE, AL - Destination: BIX, BILOXI, MS - Airport: 1A9, Autauga County, runway 9, 3,499 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 746 total, 468 in this make and model, 64 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MGM, 10 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 19961215039389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961215039389A), Dec 15, 1996: Prattville, AL, Destroyed. Aircraft developed engine problems after takeoff, attempted return to airport, crash short of airport. (-23) no narrative 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.