Amateur-built KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER accident near Blackwell, Texas, July 20, 2014
On July 20, 2014 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 1995 amateur-built KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER, registered N622P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Blackwell, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of airplane control following a loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2014 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Blackwell, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER, built 1995
- Registration
- N622P · registry record · serial ICS132
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was conducting a local flight. According to the pilot's wife, the pilot left for the airstrip that morning, and he indicated that he was going to adjust the carburetor on the airplane's engine. Local law enforcement located the accident site later that night. Wreckage documentation was indicative of the airplane being in a left downward spiral at the time of impact. Examination of the composite propeller revealed no signs indicating that it was turning at impact, which is consistent with the engine not producing power. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine showed it had an aftermarket throttle body system in lieu of the carburetors and an intake manifold. The engine manufacturer had previously released a service bulletin indicating that the use of any third party after-market replacement kits, modifications, and nongenuine manufacturer components or accessories was not approved and may result in engine damage and/or failure and personal injury and/or death. However, the examination showed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded the engine from producing normal power. Drugs identified in the pilot's toxicology were determined to not be impairing.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Owner/builder
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Design
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 800 hours in all; 549 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 549.3 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 549 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Blackwell TX
- Destination: Blackwell TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KSWW, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on August 23, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum of Record, Mrs. Patty Oden | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photographs | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.