Holmes Arthur Orman KITFOX IV N70694

Summary

On 17 July 2008 at about 00:15 local time, a Holmes Arthur Orman KITFOX IV registered N70694 was involved in an accident near Burkesville, Kentucky, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 July 2008 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Burkesville, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

36.7739, -85.3719

Aircraft

Holmes Arthur Orman KITFOX IV

Registration

N70694

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burkesville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

NYC08LA251

Nobody was injured.

The total loss of engine power due to the installation of an engine oil filter that did not meet the engine manufacture's specifications.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while the airplane was in cruise flight, he heard a "loud bang" and the "engine stopped." He then aligned the airplane with a road to perform an off-airport emergency landing. While on short final, he identified powerlines which required him to trade airspeed for altitude. After clearing the powerlines, the airplane touched down hard on the road causing substantial damage to the fuselage. An external examination of the non-certificated engine revealed a hole in the front of the engine case as well as a crack in the No. 2 cylinder. Oil was found in the oil reservoir, and was measurable on the engine oil dipstick; however, installed on the engine was an oil filter that did not meet the engine manufacture's specifications. It did not properly fit the engine oil filter mount, and lacked critical features needed to ensure normal engine operation such as a bypass valve, pressure release of the bypass valve, an anti-drain back valve, and the proper amount of filter matting.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.