- Date
- March 18, 2009, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place
- Cottonwood, AZ
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N997KKKenneth K Knowles Sonex
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 11, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20090318004099A
- Case key
- 73508
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot experienced a total loss of engine power during the first takeoff of the newly completed homebuilt experimental airplane. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He then executed a forced landing in an open field. During the landing sequence the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when it struck scrub chaparral. Post examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions that would explain the loss of power.
Factual narrative
The pilot experienced a total loss of engine power during the first takeoff of the newly completed homebuilt experimental airplane. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He then executed a forced landing in an open field. During the landing sequence the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when it struck scrub chaparral. Post examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions that would explain the loss of power.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N997KK
- Reported as
- Kenneth K Knowles Sonex
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 0531
- Engine
- Aeroconversions Aerovee, 80 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · December 5, 2008
- Departed
- P52 · Cottonwood, AZ
- Destination
- P52 · Cottonwood, AZ
- Airport
- P52 · Cottonwood Airport
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 89
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Sport pilot
- Last flight review
- January 17, 2009
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,883 total · 1 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PRC, 20 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.