Michael S Logan KITFOX N956ML

Summary

On 3 June 2017 at about 21:30 local time, a Michael S Logan KITFOX registered N956ML was involved in an accident near New Berlin, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 June 2017 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

New Berlin, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Heritage Airpark (TE86)

Coordinates

29.3499, -98.1105

Aircraft

Michael S Logan KITFOX

Registration

N956ML

Category

Airplane

Year built

2000

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Berlin → New Berlin

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17FA208

1 person died.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall/spin.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot departed on the local flight to practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The airplane impacted flat, open terrain just after takeoff and was consumed by a post-impact fire. There were no witnesses to the accident. The wreckage was confined to a small area, and the orientation of the wreckage was consistent with an aerodynamic stall and spin. Examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures. Engine drive train continuity was established. The propeller blades and spinner did not exhibit evidence of rotation at the time of impact. The damage precluded a thorough examination of the engine ignition system.The pilot's wife said that the pilot had been having ignition issues with the airplane, and described them as the engine missing or quitting entirely during high-powered run-ups. An acquaintance of the pilot reported that the pilot had resolved the ignition problem; however, the pilot did not specify how he had done so. There was no record that the airframe or engine had received a condition inspection in the previous 12 years, and the pilot did not hold a current flight review. Given the orientation of the wreckage and the lack of rotational signatures on the propeller blades, it is likely that the engine experienced a total loss of power just after takeoff. The reason for the loss of power could not be determined based on the available evidence. Following the loss of power, the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in exceeding the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.