What happened
On November 2, 2024, at approximately 10:15 EDT, an experimental, amateur-built Kitfox 4, registration N620GA, was involved in an accident at New Castle Municipal Airport (UCP) in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The aircraft was being operated as a Part 91 instructional flight.
According to the flight instructor, the student pilot had completed the preflight inspection, engine run-up checks, and two successful takeoff-and-landing cycles without any noted anomalies. During the third takeoff, while at an altitude of approximately 300 feet and midfield, the aircraft suffered a partial loss of engine power.
Upon the loss of power, control of the aircraft was transferred to the flight instructor. After being unable to restore engine power, the instructor performed a 180-degree right turn and landed the aircraft in an open grassy area south of the runway. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear separated from the aircraft. The plane then traveled across a taxiway before coming to a stop in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The fuselage and the right wing sustained substantial damage.
The flight instructor and student pilot both sustained 2 minor injuries, and there were 0 fatalities.