# NTSB ERA11CA129: Kolb Kolb Mark III, N457A, Rutherfordton, NC, January 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 30, 2011, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Rutherfordton, NC - Coordinates: 35.42361, -81.934448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4236&lon=-81.9344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78237 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78237/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78237 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude resulting in a stall/spin and ground impact. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kolb KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05902G5), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kolb KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05902G5), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kolb KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902G5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Kolb KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05902G5), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Kolb KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902G5), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings at his home airport. As he made a left turn over a hangar, a crosswind increased, and the airplane banked too steeply. The left wing subsequently stalled and the airplane was too low for the pilot to recover. The airplane impacted the ground near a hangar. A witness stated that shortly after takeoff, the airplane returned and made a low pass at the airport. He observed the airplane then fly low over the pilot's restaurant and subsequently stall/spin at low altitude. During the stall, the witness heard the engine noise increase to full power. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded weather at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, included clear skies and calm wind. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings at his home airport. As he made a left turn over a hangar, a crosswind increased, and the airplane banked too steeply. The left wing subsequently stalled and the airplane was too low for the pilot to recover, before it impacted the ground near a hangar. A witness stated that shortly after takeoff, the accident airplane returned and "buzzed" the airport. The pilot then attempted to "buzz" his own restaurant, when the airplane stalled and spun at low altitude. During the stall, the witness heard the engine noise increase to full power. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded weather at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, included clear skies and calm wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N457A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N457A-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N M-346, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KOLB AIRCRAFT INC KOLB MARK III - Registry model: [Kolb KOLB MARK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/kolb-kolb-mark-iii) (registry code 05902G5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-346 - Engines: ROTAX 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronald McKinney - Registered owner: Ronald McKinney - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: FQD, Rutherfordton, NC - Destination: FQD, Rutherfordton, NC - Airport: FQD, Rutherfordton, runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FQD ## 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 20110130001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110130001239A), Jan 30, 2011: Kolb Aircra KOLB MARK I, Rutherforton, NC, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78237. 174 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344071&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344072&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344073&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Witness Russell Hyde) (item 5, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344075&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Witness%20Russell%20Hyde)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.