# Accident 20250913015429A: Briseno Samuel KOLB FIREFLY, Cave Junction, OR, September 13, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 13, 2025, 10:30 local time
- Place: Cave Junction, OR
- Airport: Illinois Valley Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.1036° N, 123.6824° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1036&lon=-123.6824&mi=10
- Aircraft: N139SB, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N139SB-2026-03-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Briseno Samuel KOLB FIREFLY (registry code 05904XM, https://openairdocs.org/model/briseno-samuel-kolb-firefly) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 447 (registry code 55576, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-447) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRISENO SAMUEL KOLB FIREFLY
- Reported engine: ROTAX 447
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 25 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA287) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250913015429A

## Narrative

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

^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ HAD PURCHASED AIRCRAFT BELIEVING THAT HE HAD AN ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT. AIRCRAFT WAS ADVERTISED AS ULTRALIGHT DESIGN BY MANUFACTURE. AIRCRAFT IN QUESTION HAD AN AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE AND OPERATING LIMITATIONS STATING IT WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT.

PILOT’S PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WAS 14 HOURS OF GYROCOPTER, 5 HOURS IN AN ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT AND 6 HOURS IN PART 23 AIRCRAFT. PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY TAXIED THE AIRCRAFT AROUND THE AIRPORT AND FELT READY FOR FLIGHT.  TAKEOFF WENT WELL. ON FINAL, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED SOME TURBULENCE AND HAD SOME GUSTING WIND ON LANDING. ON TOUCHING DOWN, THE PILOT DROPPED THE AIRCRAFT IN AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ENDED UP AROUND 50 YARDS OFF THE RUNWAY. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED FROM THE LANDING FORCE AND THE AIRFRAME BROKE SOME TUBES, CAUSING THE PILOT TO FRACTURE 3 VERTEBRAE. WIND WAS REPORTED AS 5 MPH GUSTING TO 10 MPH.

## 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 WPR25LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA287), Sep 13, 2025: Briseno Samuel Kolb Firefly (N139SB), Cave Junction, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The non-certificated pilot's improper landing flare in turbulent wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Other reports on N139SB (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20221009017349I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221009017349I), Oct 9, 2022: Briseno Samuel KOLB FIREFLY (N139SB), Laytonville, CA, Minor damage. Pilot reports normal take-off and climb. In cruise flight pilot reports a significant reduction in power and unable to hold altitude. Pilot selected to land on…

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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