Amateur-built Kitfox accident near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, April 28, 2004
On April 28, 2004 at about 6:15 pm local time, a amateur-built Kitfox, registered N917JB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mount Sterling, Kentucky. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to blockage of the fuel filters resulting in fuel starvation. A factor in the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 28, 2004 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Sterling, Kentucky · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kitfox
- Registration
- N917JB · registry record · serial S98070164
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After flying for about one hour, the airplane's engine sputtered several times, and then lost power completely. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the inlet finger screens of both the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps were 80-90 percent blocked with contamination. No additional mechanical deficiencies were noted with the engine. Prior to the accident flight, the airplane had been flown 9-10 times during the previous 14 months. Review of the aircraft and engine logbooks revealed that the last condition inspection was performed on April 12, 2004, and the accident engine was installed in the airplane on that date. One additional entry, for a test flight, was observed in the logbooks since the last inspection.
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: 780 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 720 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 18, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2004; 107 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MGY Dayton OH at 1:30 pm
- Destination: PIE St Petersburg FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from LEX, 35 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 NYC04LA111.