# NTSB ATL92LA064: Kolb Mark III, N101AB, Titus, AL, March 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1992, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Titus, AL
- Coordinates: 32.710178, -86.249916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7102&lon=-86.2499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA064

## Probable cause

THE MANUFACTURER'S FAILURE TO INSTALL THE MAIN FUEL LINE PROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - compression (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE LOST POWER 10.9 HOURS INTO THE 40 HOUR TEST PHASE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF FROM THE PRIVATE SOD AIRSTRIP THE ENGINE QUIT. HE ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE AWAY FROM THE ADJACENT TREE LINE BUT FAILED. HE ALSO DEPLOYED THE BALLISTIC PARACHUTE WHICH ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY FULLY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DISCLOSED THAT THE MAIN FUEL LINE WAS PINCHED, AND PREVENTED THE NORMAL FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY ADDITIONAL MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N101AB), registered now, S/N M3-011, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Kolb Company MARK III
- Registry model: [Hauck John R KOLB MK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/hauck-john-r-kolb-mk-iii) (registry code 056183B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M3-011
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: ROTAX 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hauck, John R.
- Registered owner: Hauck, John R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1992, 11 hours before
- Departed: TITUS, AL
- Airport: NONE, runway 3, 600 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; military, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 903 total, 54 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920316006399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920316006399A), Mar 16, 1992: Amtr KOLBMK3, Titus, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Deployed ballistic chute but hit trees prior opening. Found pinched fuel line.

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.

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