Kitfox SERIES 5 N910MK

Summary

On 9 August 2014 at about 13:00 local time, a Kitfox SERIES 5 registered N910MK, operated by Didier, Steven J., was involved in an accident near Kamiah, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 August 2014 at 13:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Kamiah, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Kamiah Muni (S73)

Coordinates

46.2200, -116.0100

Aircraft

Kitfox SERIES 5

Registration

N910MK

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Didier, Steven J.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kamiah → Elk River

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14CA333

1 person had minor injuries.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.