# NTSB WPR14CA333: Kitfox Series 5, N910MK, Kamiah, ID, August 9, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2014, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Kamiah, ID - Coordinates: 46.220001, -116.010002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2200&lon=-116.0100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89837/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89837 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA333 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to open the fuel shutoff valves for each fuel tank before takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey M A SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05606E6), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey M A SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05606E6), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey M A SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05606E6), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey M A SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05606E6), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Bailey M A SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05606E6), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bailey M A SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05606E6), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported during preflight refueling he closed a fuel shutoff valve located at each wing root to prevent cross feeding. Upon starting the engine and preparing for takeoff the pilot verified that the main fuel valve was in the on position, but failed to open the fuel shutoff valve located on each wing causing the engine to run only from the approximate 1.5 gallons of fuel contained in the header tank. Just after takeoff the engine lost power as a result of fuel starvation. During the subsequent off airport forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to left and right wings, empennage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported during preflight refueling he closed a fuel shutoff valve located at each wing root to prevent cross feeding. Upon starting the engine and preparing for takeoff the pilot verified that the main fuel valve was in the on position, but failed to open the fuel shutoff valve located on each wing causing the engine to run only from the approximate 1.5 gallons of fuel contained in the header tank. Just after takeoff the engine lost power as a result of fuel starvation. During the subsequent off airport forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to left and right wings, empennage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N910MK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910MK-2018-02-20), registration cancelled 2018-02-20, S/N S9411-0070, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KITFOX SERIES 5 (SERIES5) - Registry model: [Bailey M A SERIES 5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bailey-m-a-series-5) (registry code 05606E6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 59411-0070 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Didier, Steven J. - Registered owner: Didier, Steven J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, May 8, 2014, 250 hours before - Departed: S73, Kamiah, ID - Destination: ID85, ELK RIVER, ID - Airport: S73, Kamiah Muni, runway 32, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 30, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 447 total, 77 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KP69, 18 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 20140809014569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140809014569A), Aug 9, 2014: Bailey M A SERIES 5, Kamiah, ID, Substantial damage. On climb out after takeoff, at approximately 200' the engine lost power. Pilot remembered that he had turned the fuel valves off while on the ground and never… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89837. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Forward Right View of Damage (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Forward%20Right%20View%20of%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF 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.