Probable cause
A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to the carburetor's mixture needle backing out.
NTSB analysis
The airplane's engine lost power immediately after becoming airborne. The pilot landed straight ahead on the runway, but landed hard due to the lack of time and altitude for a proper flare. The airplane's left wing was structurally damaged, the firewall was wrinkled, the nose landing gear separated, and the two main landing gear were bent outboard. Postaccident examination of the engine by the pilot revealed that the carburetor's mixture needle had backed out, permitting the mixture to become excessively rich and resulting in a loss of power.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08LA145 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 19, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Olympia, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Olympia Airport (OLM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built KR-2
- N-number
- N4276Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.