Summary
On August 09, 2014, a Kitfox SERIES 5 (N910MK) was involved in an accident near Kamiah, ID. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: 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.
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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR14CA333. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N910MK.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA333