Morrisville-Stowe Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Morrisville, Vermont 05661
Monday, September 7, 2009 16:30 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

During the initial climb after takeoff the experimental, amateur-built airplane climbed to an altitude of approximately 100 feet and experienced a momentary loss of engine power, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The airplane was in a left turn when it stalled and subsequently struck hay bales. The airplane came to rest about 350 feet from the end of the departure runway. The engine was pushed aft into the firewall and the airframe sustained significant distortion. Examination of the wreckage, which included a detailed examination of the non-certificated engine, did not reveal any mechanical deficiencies which would have resulted in a complete loss of engine power. The airplane had been operated for about 510 total hours, and 3 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 6 months prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A total loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 9/7/2009
Event Day of the Week Monday
Time of Event 1630
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Morrisville
Event State VERMONT
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 05661
Event Date Year 2009
Event Date Month 9
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 443204N
Event Location Longitude 0723650W
Event Location Airport Morrisville-Stowe
Event Location Nearest Airport ID MVL
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 732
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1654 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID MVL
Elevation of weather observation facility 732
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 4700
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Few
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 23
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 12
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 310
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 3
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.17
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 1
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 27572
NTSB Notification Source FAA New England ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 21 2010 2:34PM
User who most recently changed record lema
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N43KA
NTSB Number ERA09LA509
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name HEBERT
Aircraft Model Kitfox Speedster
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number ACS 096
Certified Max Gross Weight 1200
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? Yes
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Conditional
Date of Last Inspection Mar 1 2009 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 3
Airframe Hours 510
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name HEBERT PETER J
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City STOWE
Aircraft Owner State VT
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 05672
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name HEBERT PETER J
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City STOWE
Operator State VT
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 05672
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code MVL
Departure City Morrisville
Departure State VT
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1630
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code MVL
Destination City Morrisville
Destination State VT
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Oct 5 2010 10:44AM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location 01
Runway Length 3701
Runway Width 75
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --