Amateur-built KR-2 accident near Palmetto, Florida, January 27, 2013
On January 27, 2013 at about 2:30 pm local time, a amateur-built KR-2, registered N27CE, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Palmetto, Florida (Airport Manatee). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 27, 2013 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Palmetto, Florida · Airport Manatee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KR-2
- Registration
- N27CE · registry record · serial 81
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, before departure, he added 5 gallons of fuel, which increased the total amount of fuel in the tank to between 14 and 15 gallons. After engine start, he taxied to the approach end of the runway where he performed an engine run-up. He reported no discrepancies. He taxied onto the runway, applied full power, and reported achieving full rpm. While climbing between 300 and 400 feet, the engine suddenly quit, and the propeller stopped. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in a soft field. The airplane impacted the ground in a right- wing-low attitude, which caused the engine and fuel tank to separate. No fuel spillage or smell was noted at the accident scene, and only 2 ounces of fuel were found in the separated fuel tank. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no fuel in the carburetor and only 1 cc of fuel in the fuel strainer. However, the reason for the lack of fuel could not be determined. Further examination of the engine revealed powertrain continuity and no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,000 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 5, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Revmaster 2100 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 48X Palmetto FL at 2:29 pm
- Destination: 48X Palmetto FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from SPG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on July 3, 2013. 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 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Report from Local Agency-hillsborough County Sheriff's Office | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Record of NTSB Conversations | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Record of FAA Interview with Pilot-in-command | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Engine Assembly During the Postaccident Investigation. | 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.