# NTSB MIA97LA122: Kunc KR-1, N7KR, Deland, FL, April 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 1997, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Deland, FL - Location: 29.0227° N, 81.2865° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of DeLand, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0227&lon=-81.2865&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38249/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA122 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure there was sufficient fuel to safety complete the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, a forced landing, and subsequent collision with tree(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis As the pilot was on an approach to land, the engine lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. During a forced landing, the aircraft collided with trees, then crashed into a pasture. There was no fuel leakage from the aircraft after the accident. The aircraft builder stated that the aircraft held 10 gallons of usable fuel and consumed 3.5 to 4 gallons per hour. The aircraft had flown about 3 flight hours since the last refueling. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 1997, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Kunc KR-1, N7KR, registered to a private individual, crashed during a forced landing following loss of engine power while on approach to the Deland Airport, Deland, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Deland, Florida, the same day, about 1400. The pilot stated that while on approach to the Deland Airport, the engine failed and he could not get it restarted. While attempting to glide to the airport, the aircraft lost altitude and collided with two oak trees. The aircraft then crashed into a pasture. He had filled the fuel tank in the morning and had flown two flights, totaling about 3 flight hours since the refueling. He had purchased the aircraft the day before the accident and believed it had a 8 gallon fuel tank and used about 2 gallons of fuel per hour. He stated there was no fuel leakage from the aircraft after the accident. The person who built the aircraft and sold it to the accident pilot stated the aircraft had a 10 gallon fuel tank of which all of the fuel was usable. He stated the aircraft used between 3.5 and 4 gallons per hour. The aircraft and engine was not examined by FAA or NTSB personnel after the accident. The NTSB did not receive a completed aircraft accident report from the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7KR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7KR-2001-03-05), registration cancelled 2001-03-05, S/N 5391 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kunc KR-1 - Registry model: [Kunc Richard KR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/kunc-richard-kr-1) (registry code 05648KA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5391 - Airframe hours: 93 - Engines: Volkswagen 4 CYLINDER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard A. Baize - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1996, 8 hours before - Departed: DED ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ORL, 30 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 19970406005019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970406005019A), Apr 6, 1997: Amtrrn KR1, Deland, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on approach. Hit trees on forced landing. Fuel tank empty. Miscalculated fuel burn. Recent KR1 purchase. (-23) engine stopped and pilot crash landed… 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.