Pro-Built Aviation KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER accident near Lakeport, California, September 30, 1995
On September 30, 1995, a Pro-Built Aviation KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N42RA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lakeport, California (Lampson airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper installation of the carburetors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 1995
- Place
- Lakeport, California · Lampson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pro-Built Aviation KITFOX IV SPEEDSTER KITFOX IV, amateur-built
- Registration
- N42RA · no longer on the register · serial GBS 036
- 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 engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing near the airport. The pilot said that he had built the experimental airplane, and had installed the engine and its accessories. Engine examination revealed that the left-hand carburetor slide valve was improperly installed and was leaking. The right-hand carburetor choke was partially open and the vent lines were improperly routed. The engine integrity and ignition system operated normally. According to the engine manufacturer, the carburetor anomalies and the improperly routed vent lines would result in an engine loss of power.
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: 748 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 748 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 66 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 1995; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1O2
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,600 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
Other NTSB records under N42RA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.