Amateur-built RAND-ROBINSON KR2 accident near Hamilton, Ohio, May 11, 2013
On May 11, 2013 at about 10:55 pm local time, a amateur-built RAND-ROBINSON KR2, registered N774A, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Hamilton, Ohio (Butler County Regional 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 loss of engine power due to vapor lock in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the operation of the airplane with automotive gasoline and the installation of noninsulated fuel components near heat sources in the engine compartment.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2013 · about 10:55 pm local time
- Place
- Hamilton, Ohio · Butler County Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAND-ROBINSON KR2
- Registration
- N774A · registry record · serial 130
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/owner, who also built the airplane, reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane stopped climbing about 30 ft above the ground and then experienced a loss of engine power. The airplane subsequently nosed over and impacted terrain. The pilot reported that he used automotive gasoline to fuel the airplane, which was powered by a Volkswagen engine with a POSA-type carburetor. Further, the engine was tightly cowled, but the gascolator on the airplane was not insulated and was mounted about 2 inches from the exhaust pipe. Airplanes configured in this manner are susceptible to vapor lock when operating with automotive gasoline. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of engine power due to vapor lock.
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
- Aircraft servicing event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Attain/maintain not possible
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Understanding/comprehension › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
- factor Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid type
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,651 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 2,345 as pilot in command; 522 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 13, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen CONVERSION (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HAO Hamilton OH at 10:55 pm
- Destination: HAO Hamilton OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 10:00 pm
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.
Other NTSB records under N774A the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.