Amateur-built Kitfox accident near Waller, Texas, September 24, 2017
On September 24, 2017 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 2001 amateur-built Kitfox, registered N91904, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Waller, Texas (Skydive Houston Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 24, 2017 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Waller, Texas · Skydive Houston Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kitfox, built 2001
- Registration
- N91904 · no longer on the register · serial 61
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot reported that, after he climbed the non-certificated, experimental airplane to 300 to 400 ft above ground level after takeoff, there was a partial loss of engine power. The engine continued to operate but was unable to produce adequate power to sustain flight. The pilot attempted to land in a field near a residential area and the airplane impacted a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The fuel in the airplane had not been changed for about 12 months before the accident; however, a limited examination of the wreckage determined that the fuel onboard the airplane tested negative for water. The airplane was manufactured in 2001 and never received an airworthiness certificate. The postaccident examination was limited and the reason for the loss of power was not determined.
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 24 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 UL DCDI (piston); 24 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 37XA Waller TX at 10:00 pm
- Destination: 37XA Waller TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 10:08 pm from TME, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 24, 2018. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Record of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - FAA | PDF, 1 page | 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.