Amateur-built KITFOX accident near Ogden, Utah, May 20, 1986
On May 20, 1986, a amateur-built KITFOX, registered N85LA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ogden, Utah (Ogden Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 1986
- Place
- Ogden, Utah · Ogden Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX
- Registration
- N85LA · no longer on the register · serial 14
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT HAD A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. THE LEFT WING THEN DIPPED SHARPLY & THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE LOW DESCENT & CRASHED ON THE NW CORNER OF THE ARPT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A NOISE SUPPRESSOR WAS INSTALLED ON ONE OF 2 SPARK PLUG WIRES OF THE 2 CYLINDER ENGINE TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE HAND HELD, 2-WAY RADIO. DUE TO A DEFICIENCY IN THE NOISE SUPPRESSOR, THERE WAS NO CONTINUITY IN THAT RESPECTIVE WIRE.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 161 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 160 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 2, 1986; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 820 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 5,352 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.