Amateur-built KITFOX II accident near Peoria, Arizona, June 6, 1998
On June 6, 1998 at about 5:14 pm local time, a amateur-built KITFOX II, registered N62KF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Peoria, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An engine failure due to a broken rotary valve for unknown reasons. Contributing factors to the accident was an inadequate inspection by the owner of a previously damaged engine during maintenance overhaul prior to installation in the airframe.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 6, 1998 · about 5:14 pm local time
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX II
- Registration
- N62KF · 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 stated that the purpose of the flight was to fly to a different airport with another aircraft to have coffee. He stated that after completing a 360-degree turn to wait for the other aircraft, the engine lost power. He chose an open dirt field to make the emergency landing. After touchdown the landing gear was sheared off after colliding with a dirt berm. The pilot stated that all engine instruments were indicating normal and no discrepancies were noted. According to the manufacturer of the engine, this engine had been installed on a 1989 Ski-Doo Mach 1 snowmobile, which had been involved in an accident. The engine manufacturer further stated that this particular model was not originally intended for use in an aircraft. The owner inspected the engine following purchase and prior to installation in the airframe. No discrepancies noted during the preinstallation inspection. Examination of the engine by the owner following the accident revealed that the rotary valve had broken.
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: 870 hours in all; 289 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 870 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 269 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 2, 1998; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 583 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Phoenix AZ at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from PHX, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX98LA254.