Amateur-built SERIES 5 accident near Kamiah, Idaho, August 9, 2014
On August 9, 2014 at about 1:00 pm local time, a 1998 amateur-built SERIES 5, registered N910MK, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Kamiah, Idaho (Kamiah Muni 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 loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to open the fuel shutoff valves for each fuel tank before takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2014 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Kamiah, Idaho · Kamiah Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SERIES 5 SERIES5, built 1998
- Registration
- N910MK · no longer on the register · serial 59411-0070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported during preflight refueling he closed a fuel shutoff valve located at each wing root to prevent cross feeding. Upon starting the engine and preparing for takeoff the pilot verified that the main fuel valve was in the on position, but failed to open the fuel shutoff valve located on each wing causing the engine to run only from the approximate 1.5 gallons of fuel contained in the header tank. Just after takeoff the engine lost power as a result of fuel starvation. During the subsequent off airport forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to left and right wings, empennage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 447 hours in all; 77 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 407 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2014
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 8, 2014; 250 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 250 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S73 Kamiah ID
- Destination: ID85 Elk River ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 am from KP69, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 11, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo 1 - Forward Right View of Damage (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 2 - Right Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.