# NTSB SEA08CA154: Uetz, Walter Spitfire II, N7530L, Kamiah, ID, June 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2008, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Kamiah, ID - Coordinates: 46.221668, -116.022781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2217&lon=-116.0228&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68266/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA154 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure maintain the proper descent rate during the last part of his approach to a forced landing in an open hayfield. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05904H1), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=05904H1), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=05904H1), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05904H1), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05904H1), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on downwind for landing, the experimental airplane, which had nearly a full load of fuel onboard, experienced a total loss of engine power. During his attempt to execute a forced landing in a nearby open hayfield, the pilot allowed the airplane's descent rate to become excessive. The excessive descent rate resulted in a hard landing, during which both wing and fuselage structure were bent and fractured. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative While on downwind for landing, the experimental airplane, which had nearly a full load of fuel onboard, experienced a total loss of engine power. During his attempt to execute a forced landing in a nearby open hayfield, the pilot allowed the airplane's descent rate to become excessive. The excessive descent rate resulted in a hard landing, during which both wing and fuselage structure were bent and fractured. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7530L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7530L-2010-10-20), registration cancelled 2010-10-20, S/N 15532, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Uetz, Walter Spitfire II - Registry model: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultralight-america-spitfire-2) (registry code 05904H1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15532 - Airframe hours: 300 - Engines: Rotax 582 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mike Howzen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2008 - Departed: S73, ID - Destination: S73 - Airport: S73, Kamiah Municipal, runway 32 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20080619839439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080619839439A), Jun 19, 2008: SPITFIRE2, Kamiah, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 19, 2008 approximately 1315 hours local time N7530L, an ultralight america SPITFIRE2 serial no. 15532 crashed near the Kamiah, ID airport (S73)… 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.