Amateur-built KITFOX IV accident near Escondido, California, July 25, 2009
On July 25, 2009 at about 6:00 pm local time, a amateur-built KITFOX IV, registered N6140S, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Escondido, California (Ramona airport). 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 total loss of power due to an oil exhaustion induced seizure of the engine. The pilot's decision to continue flight to the original destination after becoming aware of the in-flight oil leak instead of landing at an intermediate airport to investigate the source and extent of the problem is also causal. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reuse of the pushrod oil seal during maintenance in contradiction to the engine manufacturer's maintenance instructions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2009 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Escondido, California · Ramona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KITFOX IV
- Registration
- N6140S · registry record · serial C9909-0253
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight the pilot observed oil trailing along the landing gear strut. He checked the engine oil pressure indicator, and confirmed it was displaying a normal oil pressure. He then altered his flight path to include areas suitable for performing a forced landing. He continued to monitor the oil pressure as he approached an airstrip. The oil pressure did not change, and he decided to continue the flight to his destination. Shortly thereafter, the oil pressure dropped to zero, and the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing; however, during the landing roll out, the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over. Inspection of the engine revealed that the number four cylinder exhaust pushrod O-ring seal had failed, which allowed the oil to exit the engine, causing the engine to seize. The pilot stated that he had removed the cylinder head 2 years prior to the accident, and reused the exhaust pushrod O-ring seal. According to the engine manufacturer's maintenance manual recommendations, all sealing rings, gaskets, securing elements, O-rings and oil seals are to be replaced at engine reassembly.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Fluid level
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 150 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 29, 2008
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 330 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2009; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HMT Hemet CA at 5:30 pm
- Destination: RNM Ramona CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from RNM, 9 miles away
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 N6140S 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.