# NTSB ERA20CA244: New Kolb Kolb Flyer SS, N38KF, Lutz, FL, July 11, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2020, 11:26 local (15:26 UTC) - Place: Lutz, FL - Coordinates: 28.21719, -82.370755 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2172&lon=-82.3708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101579 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101579/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101579 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA244 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane following an unannounced transfer of flight control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05629JC), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05629JC), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05629JC), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05629JC), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was to prepare the student pilot for a solo cross-country flight. After taxiing to the end of the runway, the flight instructor told the student to perform a short field takeoff. The student pilot described that there was a crowd at the airport café, and that the flight instructor stated, “let’s show them what aviation is all about.” The student pilot said that the takeoff roll was normal, and as he pulled back on the flight control stick and began to pitch for a best climb attitude, the airplane struggled to fly. The student pilot then felt back pressure on the control stick and noted that the flight instructor was pulling the stick back more but had not initiated a positive transfer of controls. The airplane then veered to the left, the flight instructor pitched the nose down, and the airplane struck a berm off the left side of the runway before it “cartwheeled” twice and came to rest. During the accident sequence the airplane’s left wing and empennage were substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38KF-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N FK-1561, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NEW KOLB AIRCRAFT CO LLC KOLB FLYER SS (No Series) - Registry model: [New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS](https://openairdocs.org/model/new-kolb-kolb-flyer-ss) (registry code 060005T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: FK-1561 - Year built: 2008 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS SERIES 100 horsepower - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Destination: PCM, Plant City, FL - Airport: X39, Tampa North Aero Park, runway 14, 3,541 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right - Student pilot; injuries: minor; student; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KZPH, 11 nm away - METAR: KZPH 111515Z AUTO 31006KT 10SM CLR 31/26 A2995 RMK A02 LTG DSNT N T03060256 ## 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 20200711011439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200711011439A), Jul 11, 2020: New Kolb Aircraft Co LLC KOLB FLYER SS, Lutz, FL, Substantial damage. Tampa, FL (X39): N38KF, Kolb Flyer Ss, crashed on departure from runway 14/32. Aircraft landed nose down approximately 150 feet off the right side of the north… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101579. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - request to flight instructor (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11820197&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-6120-Rel.pdf - Student pilot interview summary (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11823842&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Student%20Pilot_statement-Rel.pdf - Aircraft owner statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12007788&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statement%20from%20Aircraft%20Registered%20owner%20and%20flight%20school%20operator_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Fuel receipt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12008068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 294 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11820177&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Investigative%20Photographs%20ERA20CA244-Rel.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.