# NTSB SEA04LA080: 2003 Nash Kitfox II, N308KF, Broadview, MT, May 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 2004, 08:35 local (14:35 UTC) - Place: Broadview, MT - Coordinates: 46.106666, -108.875 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1067&lon=-108.8750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59188 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59188/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA080 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation during cruise flight for undetermined reasons. Unsuitable terrain for a forced landing was a factor. ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a sudden unexpected loss of engine power while in a normal flight configuration. The pilot restarted the engine, however it quit a second time and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field where the airplane was substantially damaged during the landing. In a subsequent written statement the pilot reported the loss of engine power was "characteristic" of fuel starvation, however, the airplane had approximately 20 gallons of fuel on board and the fuel valve was in the open position. Post accident examination of the wreckage confirmed fuel system continuity, but it was noted that fuel was only present from the supply tank to the firewall mounted fuel pump. No fuel was observed in the system between the pneumatic fuel pump and the engine. The airplane was equipped with a Mikuni pneumatic fuel pump, mounted on the firewall in the vertical position. No anomalies were noted with the engine. The aircraft was not equipped with an emergency or standby fuel pump. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2004, about 0835 mountain daylight time, an experimental 2003 Nash Kitfox II, N308KF, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power, off airport landing and subsequent nose down in an open field near Broadview, Montana. The airplane is owned by the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Billings, Montana, approximately 40 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC on May 10, the pilot reported that the airplane experienced a sudden unexpected loss of engine power while in a normal flight configuration. The pilot restarted the engine, however it quit a second time and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. The pilot reported that just before touchdown, the airplane pitched nose down and impacted terrain at a 40 degree angle. The airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the forward section of the fuselage and the tail. The pilot also stated that he landed with a tailwind. In a written statement dated May 14, the pilot reported the loss of engine power was "characteristic" of fuel starvation, however, the airplane had approximately 20 gallons of fuel on board and the fuel valve was in the open position. During the post accident examination of the wreckage, by personnel from the Helena, Montana, FSDO, fuel system continuity was established, however, it was noted that fuel was only present from the supply tank to the firewall mounted fuel pump. No fuel was observed in the system between the pneumatic fuel pump and the engine. The airplane was equipped with a Mikuni pneumatic fuel pump, mounted on the firewall in the vertical position. The airplane was not equipped with an emergency or standby fuel pump. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind ## Aircraft - Registration: [N308KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N308KF-2009-04-09), registration cancelled 2009-04-09, S/N 308, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 2003 Nash Kitfox II - Registry model: [Nash John M KITFOX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/nash-john-m-kitfox-ii) (registry code 05615BJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 308 - Airframe hours: 14 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John M. Nash - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT - Destination: BIL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 30, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 6,600 total, 9 in this make and model, 6,600 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KBIL, 24 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 20040509009169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040509009169A), May 9, 2004: Amtr KITFOXII, Broadview, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 9, 2004, Mr. John m. nash, holder of an ATP certificate, crash-landed N308KF, an amateur-built Kitfox ii, 3 miles north of Broadview, Montana. The… 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.