NTSB Identification: CEN11LA415
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 24, 2011 in Lafayette, LA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/20/2012
Aircraft: BINS TOM KITFOX IV, registration: N211KF
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot initiated a 270-degree turn back to the runway after a partial loss of engine power during takeoff. As he was turning back, the engine continued to lose power and the pilot made a forced landing to a grass field. The pilot said that he was in control of the airplane until it was 15 to 20 feet above the ground when it lost lift, landed hard, and flipped over. A postaccident test run of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s loss of control during a forced landing after a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff.
On September 24, 2011, at 0852, N211KF, an experimental Tom Bins Kitfox IV equipped with floats, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Lafayette Regional Airport (LAF), Lafayette, Louisiana. The private pilot/owner sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that he departed Lafayette with 15 gallons of fuel on board with the intentions of making just one circuit in the traffic pattern followed by a full-stop landing. Shortly after takeoff, when the airplane reached an altitude of 400 feet, the pilot heard a "swoosh" and a "loud bang" followed by a 50 percent reduction in power. He elected to return back to the runway and initiated a 270 degree turn. As he was turning back, the engine continued to lose power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing to a grass field about 1/8 of a mile from the runway. The pilot said he was in “complete control” of the airplane but it "lost lift" when it was 15-20 feet high. The airplane "dropped" on to the ground, landed hard, and flipped over.
Examination of on-site photos revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and the wing struts. Both floats and one propeller blade were also damaged. The engine was test-run under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The engine was started utilizing fuel in the carburetor bowls and then run until the fuel was exhausted. The carburetor bowls were refilled and the engine was re-started. This time engine power was increased and both magnetos were checked. No anomalies were noted with the magnetos or the engine.
A pilot forced to make an emergency landing in a field is down but not out.
He says he can't wait to fly again.
But when you see the condition of his plane, you might be surprised by his jovial spirit.
The experimental aircraft took a beating, it wound up upside down, with the wings bent out of shape.
The FAA is now investigating the Sunday crash.
And KATC's Mike Magnoli has a story you'll see only on 3.
The pilot explains what was happening in the cockpit and why he was able to remain calm.
"I don't know if its safer than the regular airlines but it's just as safe and it's so much fun."
That doesn't sound like a man who just survived a plane crash, but 73 year old Don Johnson did. He was taking off for a 45 minute joy-ride over Lafayette. As he was climbing, he heard a bang. Something was wrong.
When Don realized he couldn't make it to the runway, he aimed for a nearby field.
"I was still in control of the plane and I could guide it to a safe place to land."
But when you fly, trouble at low altitude is more dangerous than being above the clouds. Being low means less space and time to make a correction. And then--
"I lost all lift, I fell like a rock."
He ended up upside down. After he stumbled away from the wreck, he used his cell phone to call his wife- told her to call the control tower.
Do you think this ordeal will keep him grounded? Nope.
"I don't want people to be afraid of small planes. There are car accidents and motorcycles accidents but small plane crashes really upset people. Even in a small plane, you have options."
http://www.katc.com
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