Oden Weldon Pat KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER N622P

Summary

On 20 July 2014 at about 16:30 local time, a Oden Weldon Pat KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER registered N622P was involved in an accident near Blackwell, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 July 2014 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Blackwell, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.1100, -100.3997

Aircraft

Oden Weldon Pat KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER

Registration

N622P

Category

Airplane

Year built

1995

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blackwell → Blackwell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14FA377

1 person died.

The pilot's loss of airplane control following a loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting a local flight. According to the pilot's wife, the pilot left for the airstrip that morning, and he indicated that he was going to adjust the carburetor on the airplane's engine. Local law enforcement located the accident site later that night. Wreckage documentation was indicative of the airplane being in a left downward spiral at the time of impact. Examination of the composite propeller revealed no signs indicating that it was turning at impact, which is consistent with the engine not producing power. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine showed it had an aftermarket throttle body system in lieu of the carburetors and an intake manifold. The engine manufacturer had previously released a service bulletin indicating that the use of any third party after-market replacement kits, modifications, and nongenuine manufacturer components or accessories was not approved and may result in engine damage and/or failure and personal injury and/or death. However, the examination showed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded the engine from producing normal power. Drugs identified in the pilot's toxicology were determined to not be impairing.  

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.