What happened
On October 27, 2025, at approximately 0530 central daylight time, a Denney Kitfox III, registration N5241N, was involved in an accident near Chilton, Texas. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
The aircraft departed from Easterwood Field Airport (KCLL) in College Station, Texas, at approximately 0445, bound for McGregor Executive Airport (KPWG) in Waco, Texas. While approximately 20 nautical miles from the destination, the engine briefly sputtered. After the pilot verified that all switches and fuel selectors were correctly positioned, the engine began to shudder violently and power levels decreased.
The pilot transitioned to a best glide pitch and attempted to reach a nearby airfield. Following a complete loss of engine power, the pilot executed a forced landing into a field. During the landing sequence, the pilot avoided a power line pole but touched down heavily. To avoid an unseen fence line, the pilot applied heavy braking to nose the aircraft over. This maneuver caused the airplane to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position.
The accident resulted in no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.