Minimal damage after I crashed my kitfox. I got it on video!

[JonasM]

Hey guys,

If you haven't seen the video of me crashing my kitfox here it is!

If you are flying a rotax. be careful of vapor lock issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ3WByjahOc&t=145s

[Shadowrider]

Do you have a fuel pump, or are you going to add one to help?

[JonasM]

Do you have a fuel pump, or are you going to add one to help?

I changed the gold rotax fuel pump to the new silver one and did the bypass.

i haven't had any issues so far.

[Av8r3400]

So the plane is repaired and flying again? How long ago was the incident?

[Guy Buchanan]

First, well done video. Second, good job on the crash. No injuries, minimal damage, what more could you ask for? (Yeah, I know...)


I worked hard on my build to minimize the vapor lock possibility. I re-routed my fuel line away from heat sources and fire shielded all the lines. Of course, I also had a round cowl, which ventilates much better than the tight 7 cowl. Take a look at your installation. See if you're getting any heat from the exhaust system or other high heat sources.


Good luck!

[Jerrytex]

Glad your ok. Curious to know, how long from the time you started up until take off? As in, did you fire it up, and immediately take off or did you sit there idling for “x” amount of time?

[Hockeystud87]

For a vapor lock issue would a longer run up prevent any issues with this?

What are ways to 100% avoid/prevent vapor lock?

[kmach]

You can reduce the chance of having vapor lock by;


Have a restricted fuel return line to your header or wingtank.
Having your fuel lines in heat sleeve.
Parking facing into the wind. Opening your oil tank access lid after shut down to let hot air out.
Running your engine for a reasonable amount of time to do your checks before takeoff.

[rogerh12]

Five words: Backup Flow-thru Boost Pump

[Floog]

Also, MOGAS (which is what I use) is more susceptible to vapor lock than 100LL due to lower boiling point.

At 1,400 hrs. the only 'engine failure' I've had was similar to Jonas': it quit on rotation on a gravel bar on April Fool's Day! Fortunately, the wheels were still on the ground with plenty of overrun left.

After that trip, I took apart the return line and inspected the orifice, check valve, and the entire fuel system. All AOK. I ass-umed vapor lock...

Thanks to all for the ways to inhibit vapor lock!