N620GA

On November 2, 2024, about 1015 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Kitfox 4, N620GA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at New Castle Municipal Airport (UCP), New Castle, Pennsylvania. The flight instructor and student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The flight instructor reported that there were no anomalies noted during the preflight inspection, engine run-up checks, and previous two takeoff-and-landings, all performed by the student pilot. During the third takeoff, at an altitude of about 300 ft and midfield, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power and the airplane’s controls were transferred to the flight instructor. The flight instructor was unable to restore engine power, made a 180° right turn and landed in an open grassy area south of the runway. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear separated, and the airplane traversed across a taxiway before coming to rest in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The airplane’s right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The airplane was retained for further examination.