The Kitfox III was about 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot was able to momentarily regain engine power twice before the engine lost total power.
He performed a forced landing in a field near Oshkosh, Wis. The nose hit the ground, which pushed the engine rearward and buckled the structure under the forward cockpit area.
A post-accident examination revealed that the left wing fuel tank was nearly full, and the fuel line connecting the left wing fuel tank to the header tank had softened at the installation bend, which allowed the fuel line to kink and shut off the fuel supply from the left wing tank.
The right wing and header fuel tanks were empty, and the fuel line from the right tank was intact and functioned normally.
The fuel system on newer models of the Kitfox have been modified to include a 90 elbow fitting, which prevents the tight bend in the fuel line from the wing tanks to the header tank.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the degraded fuel line, which prevented fuel from the left tank from reaching the header tank and resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
NTSB Identification: CEN13FA440
This July 2013 accident report is are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Who’s considered reasponcible, MFG for cost an repair or AP/IA INSPECTION or Owner