Mays KITFOX LITE 2 N32122

Summary

On 22 April 2012 at about 21:00 local time, a Mays KITFOX LITE 2 registered N32122, operated by Stuart Benner, was involved in an accident near Cedarville, California, 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

22 April 2012 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Cedarville, California, United States

Coordinates

41.5989, -120.0944

Aircraft

Mays KITFOX LITE 2

Registration

N32122

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Stuart Benner

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cedarville → Cedarville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA182

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to air in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s incorrect maintenance that did not properly secure the fuel lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who did not hold a repairman or mechanic certification, reported that he had been replacing the fuel lines. About 1 hour into the flight, the engine lost power, and the pilot initiated a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel lines were secured with tie wraps. The tie wraps secured the lines in an oval shape, which could introduce air into the fuel system and result in a loss of engine power. No additional mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.