Amateur-built KR-2 accident near Roseburg, Oregon, May 26, 2008
On May 26, 2008 at about 10:10 pm local time, a amateur-built KR-2, registered N4GJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Roseburg, Oregon. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the pilot's modification of the induction system, and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to a landing area following the power loss.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 2008 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Roseburg, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KR-2
- Registration
- N4GJ · no longer on the register · serial 1620
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after departure, the engine experienced a partial loss of power about 200 feet above ground level (agl) during the initial climb. The pilot initiated a 180 degree turn to return to the runway; however, during the turn there was not sufficient altitude or airspeed to complete the turn. The airplane stalled/mushed and collided with a road near the airport. The forward section of the fuselage was structurally damaged as well as the wings. Post-accident inspection of the engine revealed that the pilot had just installed a new air intake. The pilot stated, "the intake after liftoff proved to be very efficient, so much so that it leaned the fuel mixture." The pilot reported no mechanical failures with the engine.
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 initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Modification/alteration › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 310 hours in all; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 134 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 140 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2007; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1835 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RBG Roseburg OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from RBG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N4GJ 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.