Crash investigation finds choke lever on

By Michael Tsai

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 13, 2012

~~<p>The crash of a light sport aircraft on Kauai that killed two people last year was likely due to pilot error and an inadvertent application of the aircraft's choke, according to a probable-cause report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board.</p>
<p>On Feb. 15, 2011, pilot Jim Gaither of Big Sky Kauai and passenger Kim Buergel of Spokane, Wash., were killed when the powered glider Gaither was piloting crashed into the ocean off Kalaheo. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying low over a field that sloped toward the ocean, dropping to a level of 50 feet above the water, pitching upward and then falling to the ocean. Witnesses said they heard the aircraft's engine sputter and "fire back up" as it descended toward the water the first time.</p>
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The crash of a light sport aircraft on Kauai that killed two people last year was likely due to pilot error and an inadvertent application of the aircraft's choke, according to a probable-cause report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board.

On Feb. 15, 2011, pilot Jim Gaither of Big Sky Kauai and passenger Kim Buergel of Spokane, Wash., were killed when the powered glider Gaither was piloting crashed into the ocean off Kalaheo. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying low over a field that sloped toward the ocean, dropping to a level of 50 feet above the water, pitching upward and then falling to the ocean. Witnesses said they heard the aircraft's engine sputter and "fire back up" as it descended toward the water the first time. Login for more...