# NTSB ATL95LA095: Kolb Firestar II, N47WH, Cumming, GA, May 8, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1995, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Cumming, GA
- Location: 34.2061° N, 84.1338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cumming, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2061&lon=-84.1338&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA095

## Probable cause

THE PILOT/OWNER'S FAILURE TO INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOOSE SPARK PLUG LEAD. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN CONDITIONS AT THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,ignition lead - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT OBSERVED UNUSUAL ENGINE VIBRATIONS AND NOISE, AND ELECTED TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT, MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A HOLE, AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUG LEADS WAS LOOSE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS, AND THE PILOT/OWNER DID NOT POSSESS A CURRENT BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW OR FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

## Factual narrative

On May 8, 1995, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Kolb Firestar II, N47WH, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Cumming, Georgia. The private pilot was not injured. The homebuilt, experimental aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at a private field in Cumming at 0900.

The pilot reported that the aircraft was in cruise flight when he observed unusual engine vibrations and noise. He set up for a precautionary landing in a nearby, open field. During the landing roll, the right, main landing gear struck a hidden hole, and collapsed, resulting in structural airframe damage. An examination of the Rotax 503 engine revealed that one of the spark plug leads was loose.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the pilot/owner had reserved the aircraft registration number N47WH, but had not registered the aircraft. The pilot did not possess a current FAA medical certificate, nor did he have a current biennial flight review. The inspector also reported that the aircraft and engine did not have a current annual inspection.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47WH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Kolb Company FIRESTAR II (FIRESTAR I)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: ROTAX 503 46 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hinklemann, William E.
- Registered owner: Hinkelmann, William E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: center; flight hours: 200 total, 27 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 210 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 19950508012829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950508012829A), May 8, 1995: Amtr FIRESTARMK12, Cumming, GA, Substantial damage. Rough engine. Elected land in a field. Gear struck hole and collapsed. Found a plug wire loose. No current annual.

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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