NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On June 3, 2017, about 1630 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built SkyStar Kitfox Series 5 airplane, N956ML, impacted terrain next to Heritage Airpark (TE86), New Berlin, Texas. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions existed near the accident site and no flight plan had been filed. The local personal flight was originating from TE86 at the time of the accident.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the pilot's wife said her husband was going to practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. A witness saw the airplane taxiing for takeoff but did not see the impact. The witness said he heard a "pop" and observed smoke. The witness said he did not know if the "pop" was an engine backfire or the sound of impact. There were other no witnesses to the accident.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine land and multiengine sea ratings. He held an FAA third-class airman medical certificate, dated January 20, 2016, with no restrictions or limitations. The pilot's logbook was reviewed by FAA inspectors and contained entries from November 26, 2014, to June 9, 2015. According to the logbook, the pilot had 1,138 total hours of flight experience, of which 211 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

His most recent last flight review was completed November 9, 2014. On January 28, 2017, the pilot completed the ground portion of a flight review, but the flight portion was not documented.

According to FAA medical and insurance company records, the pilot estimated he had logged 1,155 total flight hours, 235 hours in the Kitfox, and 10 hours in the previous six months.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane, serial number 59407-0038, was built by the pilot from a kit, and was issued a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category on March 15, 2000.

In February 2008, the pilot installed a a Subaru EA-81 NSI RAM performance engine, serial number 244159, rated at 120 horsepower.

The last condition inspection of the airframe and engine was on April 23, 2005. No times were listed. Other than two entries both dated May 25, 2005, no other entries were entered in the engine logbook.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Weather observed at 1658 at Randolph Air Force Base (KRND), Universal City, Texas, located 9 miles northwest of the accident site, indicated the wind was from 190° at 6 knots, visibility was 10 miles, there were a few clouds at 20,000 feet, the temperature was 32°C., the dew point was 20°C., and the altimeter setting was 29.84 inches of mercury.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

FAA inspectors examined the wreckage. They noted that the surrounding terrain consisted of flat farmland and grassland, and was suitable for a forced landing.

All the wreckage was confined to within a 15-foot radius and the ground fire extended within a 20-foot radius from the point of impact. The engine was skewed to the right, the left wing was trailing, the right wing was leading, and the empennage was angled to the right when viewed from the rear of the airplane. Although post-impact fire consumed the airplane, inspectors were able to establish flight control continuity.

The engine was inverted but remained attached to the airframe. Drive train continuity (propeller hub and gear box rotation) was established. Two of the three propeller blades and other cowling debris were located within 10 to 15 feet of the main body of wreckage. The propeller blades and spinner did not exhibit evidence of rotation. The leading edges and blade tips were undamaged. The third blade was not located.

According to the pilot's wife the pilot had been having ignition issues with the airplane. She thought the problem had been resolved. She described the problem as the engine missing or quitting entirely during high-powered run-ups. She suggested that the inspectors contact a local pilot who had the same aircraft type and engine combination.

The pilot stated that the accident pilot had contacted him about his airplane's ignition problems, but later indicated that he had found a solution; he never said what the solution was; no entries were made in the engine logbook. He said he was aware the pilot had converted the engine and had installed a dual ignition.

Damage from the post-impact fire precluded a thorough examination of the engine ignition system.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office Austin, Texas. According to the report, the pilot's death was "the result of conflagration and blunt force injuries."

FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed a toxicological screen that revealed no evidence of carbon monoxide in blood, and no evidence of ethanol or drugs in urine. Cyanide tests were not performed. A toxicology screen performed by the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office yielded similar results.

NTSB Probable Cause

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.