Amateur-built KR-2 accident near Mt. Vernon, Illinois, September 18, 2009
On September 18, 2009, a amateur-built KR-2, registered N4207Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Mt. Vernon, Illinois (Mount Vernon Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate preflight planning/preparation and fuel management by the pilot which led to fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during approach. Contributing to the accident was the inoperative fuel indicator.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2009
- Place
- Mt. Vernon, Illinois · Mount Vernon Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KR-2
- Registration
- N4207Z · registry record · serial 0664
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was en route to the destination airport when the airplane's fuel indicating rod became stuck in the full position, which it had done on previous occasions. The pilot determined, based upon his calculations, that he would have enough fuel to complete the flight. During approach to the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot executed a forced landing on a bean field. During the landing, the airplane hit trees and impacted the field resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot sustained minor injuries. There was no usable fuel aboard the airplane. The pilot stated that he miscalculated the fuel consumption during the flight and failed to make a precautionary landing when the fuel indicating rod became stuck.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during enroute (cruise)
- Fuel exhaustion during approach defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel quantity indicator › Inoperative
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 920 hours in all; 801 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 870 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 26, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,065 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 2, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Volkswagoen Conversion (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EMP Emporia KS at 9:15 pm
- Destination: MVN Mt. Vernon IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 05, 6,496 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.