Rutledge KITFOX N885CR

Summary

On 15 October 2002 at about 18:00 local time, a Rutledge KITFOX registered N885CR was involved in an accident near Condon, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 October 2002 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Condon, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

45.0667, -119.8667

Aircraft

Rutledge KITFOX

Registration

N885CR

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Condon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

NTSB number

SEA03LA006

1 person was seriously injured.

A loose clamp around the gascolator bowl. A related factor was the maintenance inspection not being performed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot reported that while maneuvering around a squirrel hole on his private strip, a gust of wind pushed the airplane into a rough spot on the field. The pilot applied power and the aircraft lifted off. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. The airplane then collided with the field. During the post-crash inspection of the engine, a clamp around the gascolator bowl was found loose. The remainder of the engine and airframe check did not disclose evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. The pilot reported that he had accumulated about 12 hours of total flight time with only two flights in the accident aircraft. The pilot stated that he was in the process of trying to find a flight instructor for flight lessons and a mechanic to inspect the airplane at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.