ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 311779
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| Date: | Sunday 12 July 2020 |
| Time: | 09:30 LT |
| Type: |  Kitfox KITFOX SPORT |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N702KS |
| MSN: | SPO204001 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2002 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 783 hours |
| Engine model: | Rotax 912ULS |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Rand, Colorado -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Granby Grand County Airport, CO (KGNB) |
| Walden, CO (33V) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that during the flight he noticed the oil pressure gauge fluctuating and executed a precautionary landing to a road to examine the engine. He stated that after landing, he performed a walk around inspection of the airplane, which included looking for leaks and checking the oil level and security of the oil cap. Finding no anomalies, he proceeded to take off from the road. During takeoff and while the airplane was gaining airspeed in ground effect, the departure path went over a terrain depression and into a down sloping bowl; the airplane encountered a sudden sink/down flow of air and lost about 10-15 ft of altitude. The pilot attempted to turn toward lower terrain while maintaining airspeed but the sink/down flow of air continued and so he maneuvered to land the airplane in a meadow. Unable to reach the meadow, he turned the airplane into sloping terrain to minimize the impact energy. During the impact, the airplane sustained damage to both wings, the fuselage, and empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions, and noted that the fluctuating oil pressure gauge was likely due to the sending unit location on the engine and associated vibration or a loose ground connection.
Probable Cause: The encounter with the downdrafts during the attempted takeoff, which resulted in decreased airplane's climb performance and subsequent impact with terrain.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CEN20CA277
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 02-May-2023 19:51 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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