N7KR

Substantial
Minor

Kunc KR-1 S/N: 5391

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, April 6, 1997
NTSB Number
MIA97LA122
Location
DELAND, FL
Event ID
20001208X07778
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure there was sufficient fuel to safety complete the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, a forced landing, and subsequent collision with tree(s).

Aircraft Information

Registration
N7KR
Make
KUNC
Serial Number
5391
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
KR-1 SA02
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BAIZE RICHARD A
Address
176 N EUCLID AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
LAKE HELEN
State / Zip Code
FL 32744-2606
Country
United States

Analysis

On April 6, 1997, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Kunc KR-1, N7KR, registered to a private individual, crashed during a forced landing following loss of engine power while on approach to the Deland Airport, Deland, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Deland, Florida, the same day, about 1400.

The pilot stated that while on approach to the Deland Airport, the engine failed and he could not get it restarted. While attempting to glide to the airport, the aircraft lost altitude and collided with two oak trees. The aircraft then crashed into a pasture. He had filled the fuel tank in the morning and had flown two flights, totaling about 3 flight hours since the refueling. He had purchased the aircraft the day before the accident and believed it had a 8 gallon fuel tank and used about 2 gallons of fuel per hour. He stated there was no fuel leakage from the aircraft after the accident.

The person who built the aircraft and sold it to the accident pilot stated the aircraft had a 10 gallon fuel tank of which all of the fuel was usable. He stated the aircraft used between 3.5 and 4 gallons per hour.

The aircraft and engine was not examined by FAA or NTSB personnel after the accident. The NTSB did not receive a completed aircraft accident report from the pilot.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA97LA122