Amateur-built MK-4 accident near Harnett, North Carolina, August 30, 2018
On August 30, 2018 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 2016 amateur-built MK-4, registered N628X, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Harnett, North Carolina (Harnett Rgnl Jetport 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 total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2018 · about 8:00 pm local time · cases in 2018
- Place
- Harnett, North Carolina · Harnett Rgnl Jetport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MK-4 No Series, built 2016
- Registration
- N628X · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed on a 35-nautical-mile flight with 9 gallons of fuel onboard. While en route, he noticed that the fuel quantity was decreasing faster than normal, and he elected to stop for fuel. During the descent toward the airport, the engine lost total power and the pilot subsequently performed a forced landing in a field. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. About 1/2 gallon of fuel was drained from the fuel tank after the accident; however, an unquantified amount spilled onto the ground during recovery, and the amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident could not be determined. The right wing fuel tank was vented by a modified fuel cap. Holes were drilled in the top of the cap to allow air in the tank as fuel is consumed. The pilot recommended that a forward-facing tube vent be installed per a service letter issue by the kit manufacturer of a similar experimental, amateur-built airplane; however, the reason for loss of engine power and whether the modified fuel cap contributed to the accident could not be determined based on the available information.
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 enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,926 hours in all; 1.2 in this make and model; 8.3 in the last 90 days; 1,834 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 28, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 1, 2018; 1.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,151 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 5 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6NC0 Grantham NC at 7:00 pm
- Destination: 78NC Fuquay/Varina NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 3 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 pm from KHRJ, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – View of the left side of the inverted wreckage as it came to rest.
Photo 2 – View of the bottom of the wreckage.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 28, 2021. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Kitfox Service Letter No. 7 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N628X on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Rotax 912 241 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Harnett Regional Jetport · nearest airport
- Cox-Grantham Airfield · departed from
- Fuquay/Angier Field · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in North Carolina 1,762 since 1982 · 305 in the last ten years
- North Carolina 7,120 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA18LA239.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.