Howard William C KR-2 N456CH

Summary

On 4 April 2009 at about 22:48 local time, a Howard William C KR-2 registered N456CH was involved in an accident near Valdosta, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 April 2009 at 22:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Valdosta, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD)

Coordinates

30.7503, -83.2758

Aircraft

Howard William C KR-2

Registration

N456CH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Valdosta → Valdosta

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA231

1 person died.

An in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The experimental amateur-built airplane was on its third flight, which was the first flight for the pilot/owner. About 20 minutes after departure, the pilot reported to air traffic control (ATC) that he had smoke in the cockpit and was approximately 9 miles from the airport. Subsequently, the pilot notified ATC that he had a fire in the cockpit. No further communications were received from the pilot and the airplane descended into trees. The airplane structure, which was comprised of wood and foam/fiberglass, exhibited extensive fire damage and was consumed by both in-flight and postimpact fire. The two previous flights were conducted by another pilot, who reported after the second flight there had been a blue staining around the fuel valve for the 15-gallon header tank. The accident pilot had installed a cigarette lighter in the airplane about 1 week prior to the accident; however, it could not be determined where the lighter was installed or if the leaking fuel valve was repaired. Due to the extensive fire damage, the fire's ignition source was not located.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.