Amateur-built Kitfox accident near Condon, Oregon, October 15, 2002
On October 15, 2002 at about 6:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Kitfox, registered N885CR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Condon, Oregon. 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
A loose clamp around the gascolator bowl. A related factor was the maintenance inspection not being performed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 15, 2002 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Condon, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kitfox
- Registration
- N885CR · no longer on the register · serial 20
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot reported that while maneuvering around a squirrel hole on his private strip, a gust of wind pushed the airplane into a rough spot on the field. The pilot applied power and the aircraft lifted off. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. The airplane then collided with the field. During the post-crash inspection of the engine, a clamp around the gascolator bowl was found loose. The remainder of the engine and airframe check did not disclose evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. The pilot reported that he had accumulated about 12 hours of total flight time with only two flights in the accident aircraft. The pilot stated that he was in the process of trying to find a flight instructor for flight lessons and a mechanic to inspect the airplane at the time of the accident.
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
- Flight time: 12 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Condon OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
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.