# NTSB ERA17CA030: Kolb Fire FLY, West Middlesex, PA, October 28, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 28, 2016, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: West Middlesex, PA
- Coordinates: 41.167778, -80.501945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1678&lon=-80.5019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94309/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94309
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA030

## Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the noncertificated pilot of the unregistered airplane, he was flying at a low altitude when he encountered a wind gust. He then lost control of the airplane, and it subsequently impacted trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the non-certificated pilot of the unregistered airplane, he was flying at a low altitude when he encountered a gust of wind. He then lost control of the airplane, and it subsequently impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: KOLB FIRE FLY
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 042A021
- Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: None
- Departed: PA21, West Middlesex, PA
- Destination: PA21, West Middlesex, PA
- Airport: PA21, West Middlesex

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KYNG, 9 nm away

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94309. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452684&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- West Middlesex Police Report (item 2, .PDF, 853 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=West%20Middlesex%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.