N396BK

Substantial
None

Bordelon Kitfox IVS/N: C9400070

Accident Details

Date
Monday, June 7, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA304
Location
Stanton, MN
Event ID
20100607X64311
Coordinates
44.475555, -93.016387
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s inadvertent propeller blade pitch change and subsequent loss of forward thrust.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N396BK
Make
BORDELON
Serial Number
C9400070
Engine Type
None
Year Built
2003
Model / ICAO
Kitfox IVFK9
No. of Engines
0

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SVIEN BENNY H
Address
3150 280TH ST W
Status
Deregistered
City
NORTHFIELD
State / Zip Code
MN 55057-5305
Country
United States

Analysis

The accident occurred during the first flight since the experimental amateur-built airplane had been repaired from a previous accident. The pilot stated that after departure he performed two landings without incident. On the third landing attempt, the in-flight electrically adjustable propeller went into a low/flat pitch while the airplane was on an extended final approach. The pilot stated that the airplane lost forward thrust as result of the flat propeller blade pitch and that he landed short of the turf runway. The airplane subsequently nosed-over and came to rest inverted. The fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. He stated that the flat propeller pitch may have been inadvertently set during flight when he mistakenly depressed the propeller pitch selector instead of the intended push-to-talk button. Both buttons were collocated on the control stick.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA304