SEA03LA006

The non-certificated pilot reported that while maneuvering around a squirrel hole on his private strip, a gust of wind pushed the airplane into a rough spot on the field. The pilot applied power and the aircraft lifted off. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. The airplane then collided with the field. During the post-crash inspection of the engine, a clamp around the gascolator bowl was found loose. The remainder of the engine and airframe check did not disclose evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. The pilot reported that he had accumulated about 12 hours of total flight time with only two flights in the accident aircraft. The pilot stated that he was in the process of trying to find a flight instructor for flight lessons and a mechanic to inspect the airplane at the time of the accident.

On October 15, 2002, approximately 1100 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Rutledge Kitfox, N885CR, registered to and operated by the non-certificated pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from a field near Condon, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured.

The non-certificated pilot reported that he had had this aircraft stored in his barn for a long time when he pulled it out. Fresh gas was put in prior to the flight. The pilot reported that he first taxied down the dirt runway, then turned around and came back down. Gusting winds were felt during this taxi maneuver. When the pilot turned back around, he noted that the winds had died down so he decided to taxi back down the runway again. The pilot stated that he taxied down the centerline of the airstrip at about 20 mph. Due to squirrel holes, he had to maneuver around a hole when a gust of wind caught the airplane and pushed it into a rough part of the pasture. The pilot applied power and the aircraft lifted off. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The aircraft then landed hard in the field.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the engine and airframe. The inspector reported that during the inspection, the fuel gascolator bowl clamp was found loose. The remainder of the engine and airframe check did not disclose evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.

The pilot reported a total of about 12 hours total flight time with only two flight in the Kitfox. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he was in the process of trying to find a flight instructor for flight lessons and a mechanic to inspect the airplane at the time of the accident.