Primary finding
Probable cause
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was about 10 to 15 minutes from his destination when the airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power. He pulled the carburetor heat on but power was not restored. He moved the throttle control from idle to full power and the engine would only increase to about 25% with full throttle. The pilot decided to make a forced landing along a treeless mountain ridgeline. During landing, a strong gust of wind lifted the airplane’s right wing and subsequently the left wing and engine impacted terrain and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. After the accident, control continuity was established between the cockpit and engine. Although both carburetor bowls were empty of fuel, when disconnected the fuel line had fuel drain from both sides of the disconnection, consistent with fuel being fed to the engine at the time of operation. Thumb compression was established for all four cylinders. The top spark plugs all appeared to be normal; the lower spark plugs in the two right cylinders had oil in them, as did the forward right cylinder, which contained about a cup of oil. Small amounts of water were drained from the two left cylinders. The wreckage was stored unprotected outside on a trailer buried in snow and the engine was laying on it side which would account for the oil and water found in the engine. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the pilot reported application of carburetor heat after the power loss with no effect. Accordingly, the reason for the power loss could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 24, 2023, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a Kitfox Series 6 experimental airplane, N151RF, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Delta Junction, Alaska. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was flying around the Salcha River area and decided to fly to Charley River. About 10 to 15 minutes from his destination, the engine sustained a partial loss of power. To troubleshoot the loss of power, he pulled carburetor heat on but power was not restored. He moved the throttle control from idle to full power and the engine would only increase to about 25% with full throttle. The pilot decided to make a forced landing along a treeless mountain ridgeline. During landing, a strong gust of wind lifted the airplane’s right wing and subsequently the left wing and engine impacted terrain and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Control continuity was established between the cockpit and engine. Although both carburetor bowls were empty of fuel, when disconnected the fuel line had fuel drain from both sides of the disconnection. Thumb compression was established for all four cylinders. The top spark plugs all appeared to be normal; the lower spark plugs in the two right cylinders had oil in them, as did the forward right cylinder, which contained about a cup of oil. Small amounts of water were drained from the two left cylinders.