Loss of engine power (partial): Denney Kitfox, N605GK, accident occurred on May 10, 2024, near Powell, Wyoming

• Location: Powell, Wyoming
• Accident Number: WPR24LA148
• Date & Time: May 10, 2024, 10:30 Local
• Registration: N605GK
• Aircraft: KJELSRUD GARY KITFOX
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial
• Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
• Injuries: 1 None
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194247/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194247

On May 10, 2024, about 1030 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Kitfox airplane, N605GK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Powell, Wyoming. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from his private dirt strip when the accident occurred. The airplane exhibited a partial loss of engine power when it was about halfway down the runway. The pilot elected to proceed with the takeoff due to an irrigation canal at the end of the runway. The airplane would not gain altitude and subsequently struck two fences before nosing over and coming to rest inverted in a nearby yard.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that one of the two piston-type carburetors had the retaining clip for the jet needle set to the leanest position. The other carburetor was set to the engine manufacturer’s specified position. It is likely that the overly lean setting in one of the carburetors caused the carburetors not to be synchronized, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power during takeoff. According to the pilot, he adjusted the carburetor’s retaining clip to lower the cylinder temperature while he was flying in a different state and did not notice any loss of engine performance. However, this was his first attempted takeoff in Wyoming, that was located at a high elevation. 

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s adjustment of the carburetor to an incorrect setting, which resulted in partial loss of engine power during takeoff.