| Crash location | 32.373334°N, 87.102222°W |
| Nearest city | Selma, AL
32.407359°N, 87.021101°W 5.3 miles away |
| Tail number | N313MC |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 13 Jan 2004 |
| Aircraft type | Current Kitfox 313 |
| Additional details: | None |
On January 13, 2004, at 1400 central standard time, a Current Kitfox 313, N313MC, registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with the ground while attempting an emergency landing in Selma, Alabama. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Sky Harbor Airport, Selma, Alabama, on January 13, 2004 at 1345.
During a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that prior to the flight he made adjustment on the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge. The main fuel flow line had been removed to access the area of the EGT gauge. During climb out through 300 feet, the EGTgauge was reading above the maximum temperature, and the engine quit. While maneuvering for the emergency landing the right wing collided with a tree.
Examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was buckled. Examination of the flight control system did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. Examination of the engine compression, and the ignition system of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. Approximately five gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system. Further examination of the fuel system revealed that the main fuel line was separated from the fuel input port on the carburetor.
The pilot's inadequate installation, and his failure to secure the main fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation.