# NTSB NYC07CA230: Grenier Kitfox IV, N20577, Moultonboro, NH, September 16, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2007, 13:52 local (17:52 UTC)
- Place: Moultonboro, NH
- Coordinates: 43.767776, -71.385276
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7678&lon=-71.3853&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 October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA230

## Probable cause

The failure of both spark plugs in the number 3 cylinder which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

## 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
  - ignition system,spark plug - inoperative (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - swampy

## Analysis

After a thorough before-takeoff check of systems and instruments, the airplane performed as expected during the takeoff roll and initial climb.  About 100 feet above ground level, the engine began "sputtering" and "losing power."  The airplane lacked the altitude to return to the runway, so the pilot chose to land straight ahead in a swamp.  Post accident examination of the engine revealed that both spark plugs in the number 3 cylinder did not spark.  After exchanging the spark plugs, the engine started immediately and ran continuously without interruption.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the amateur-built Kitfox IV explained that after a thorough before-takeoff check of systems and instruments, the airplane performed as expected during the takeoff roll and initial climb.  About 100 feet above ground level, the engine began "sputtering" and "losing power."  The airplane lacked the altitude to return to the runway, so the pilot chose to land straight ahead in a swamp.  Post accident examination of the engine revealed that both spark plugs in the number 3 cylinder did not spark.  After exchanging the spark plugs, the engine started immediately and ran continuously without interruption.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20577](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20577), registered now, S/N 4152394 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grenier Kitfox IV
- Registry model: [Grenier Robert T KITFOX SERIES IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/grenier-robert-t-kitfox-series-iv) (registry code 05614FI) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4152394
- Engines: Rotax 912 UL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barry Huston
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 5M3, Moultonboro, NH
- Destination: Moultonboro, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 2,200 total, 45 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070916829609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070916829609A), Sep 16, 2007: Moultonboro, NH, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was taking off from runway 20, (3600' paved) at moultonborough, NH (5M3). Lift-off and initial climb were normal. At…

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.