Johansen KITFOX N820FL

Summary

On 7 July 1992 at about 00:45 local time, a Johansen KITFOX registered N820FL, operated by Johansen, George A, was involved in an accident near Gowen, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

7 July 1992 at 00:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Gowen, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

43.2503, -85.2997

Aircraft

Johansen KITFOX

Registration

N820FL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Johansen, George A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI92DEM03

2 people had minor injuries.

A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM SPARK PLUGS AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS ON ITS INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY CEASED TO OPERATE. THE PILOT TURNED TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH LARGE OAK TREES AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH SMALLER PINE TREES DURING ITS APPROACH AND LANDING ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANDING FIELD. THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE TWO CYLINDER, TWO STROKE ENGINE HAD FOUR SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED WHICH DID NOT FIRE WHEN UNDER A CYLINDER COMPRESSION CONFIGURATION. THE SPARK PLUG GAP WAS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RANGE. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE WHEN PERFORMING A MAGNETO CHECK DURING THE PRE-TAKEOFF RUNUP.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.