# Accident 20100908050419A: Thompson D KOLB TWINST, Elkhart, IN, September 8, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 8, 2010, 19:50 local time
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Airport: Elkhart Municipal
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.7078° N, 85.9997° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7078&lon=-85.9997&mi=10
- Aircraft: N408K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N408K-2013-05-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Thompson D S KOLB TWINSTARMARKIII (registry code 05629PK, https://openairdocs.org/model/thompson-d-s-kolb-twinstarmarkiii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912ULS series (registry code 55572, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THOMPSON D KOLB TWINST
- Reported engine: ROTAX 912ULS
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 76 total, 8 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN10LA526](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA526) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100908050419A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 08,2010, AT APPROXIMATELY 1930 LOCAL  TIME ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, A CERTIFICATED LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT PILOT, TOOK OFF FROM ELKHART MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (EKM) ON A MAIDEN FLIGHT OF A KOLB TWIN STAR MARK III EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE PILOT WAS SUPPOSED TO CONDUCT THE FIRST TEST FLIGHT PERFORMING BASIC MANEUVERS TO DETERMINE THE AIRCRAFTS FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS AND RESPONSE TO THE CONTROL INPUTS. THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO APPROXIMATE PATTERN ALTITUDE WITH EVERYTHING APPEARING TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTROLLER SAID THE PILOT CALLED TO LAND AND WAS CLEARED FOR THE OPTION. THE CONTROLLER STATED HE DID NOT HEAR THE PILOT COMPLAIN OF ANY PROBLEMS AND ASSUMED EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL.A VIDEO OF THE LANDING SHOWED THAT EVERYTHING WAS PROGRESSING NORMALLY UNTIL THE PILOT FLARED AND THE AIRCRAFT WENT INTO A PORPOISING MOTION. EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN10LA526](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA526), Sep 8, 2010: Thompson Kolb Twinstar Mark (N408K), Elkhart, IN, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing approach.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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