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Accidents · NTSB WPR10LA310 · Final report

Amateur-built KR-2 accident near Richfield, Utah, June 23, 2010

On June 23, 2010 at about 4:06 pm local time, a amateur-built KR-2, registered N44729, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Richfield, Utah (Richfield Municipal Arpt). 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 loss of engine power during initial climb due to a carburetor malfunction.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
June 23, 2010 · about 4:06 pm local time
Place
Richfield, Utah · Richfield Municipal Arpt · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Amateur-built KR-2
Registration
N44729 · no longer on the register · serial 6664
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 he had recently purchased the airplane and, before flying it, he had a resident mechanic perform a condition inspection on the airplane, which was signed off on the day of the accident. The pilot stated that he did several long static engine runs on the ground and then planned to perform several high-speed taxi runs. During the second high-speed taxi, with a tailwind, the airplane became airborne. This was the first time the pilot had flown the airplane and he decided to continue the takeoff to stay in the traffic pattern and return for landing. The pilot reported that when he had climbed to about 250 feet, the engine began to lose power and the airplane began to descend. He turned back towards the runway's midpoint to land and the right wing suddenly dropped and impacted the airport's perimeter fence. The airplane came to rest inverted with its engine broken off and under the fuselage. The left wing was broken at the wing root, but not separated from the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the resident mechanic found that the slide-type carburetor contained a gummy residue and did not operate freely. Additionally, the spark plugs appeared to have excessive carbon buildup. During the examination of the airplane, other than the condition of the carburetor and spark plugs, no preimpact mechanical anomalies were found.

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

  1. Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
  2. Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
  3. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
  • Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 560 hours in all; 35 in the last 30 days
  • Medical certificate: None
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: serious injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 150 hours
  • Last inspection: condition inspection, June 23, 2010; 1 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Volkswagon (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: RIF Richfield UT at 4:05 pm
  • Destination: RIF Richfield UT
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 01, 6,600 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 160° at 7 knots, gusting 16
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
  • Observation at 4:53 pm from BCE, 62 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

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.