# NTSB ERA22LA301: Kolb Firestar, N6136Y, Cleveland, GA, July 8, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 8, 2022, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Cleveland, GA · Private Airpark - Coordinates: 34.561763, -83.713513 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5618&lon=-83.7135&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105438/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105438 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA301 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane on takeoff for unknown reasons. ## 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: [Geist Donald R KOLB FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05903B1), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Geist Donald R KOLB FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05903B1), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Geist Donald R KOLB FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05903B1), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Geist Donald R KOLB FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903B1), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting a soft-field takeoff in his light-sport airplane. A review of surveillance video revealed that, as the airplane began its initial climb, the pitch angle increased, and the airplane entered a steep left bank turn. The airplane turned left about 180° and descended behind trees. The airplane collided with a hangar and terrain before it came to rest in the driveway of a residence. The engine sounded normal from the beginning of the takeoff roll until impact. Postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Review of postaccident medical records, including the autopsy data and toxicology reports, revealed no obvious medical issues that would have contributed to the accident. As such, the reason for the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane on takeoff was not determined. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 2022, at 1305 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Kolb Firestar II airplane, N6136Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cleveland, Georgia. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot/owner held a sport pilot certificate and the airplane was based at the Mountain Airpark (OGE5), Cleveland, Georgia. A review of airpark surveillance video showed the airplane taking off on the grass runway and, as it began its initial climb, the pitch angle increased, and the airplane entered a steep left bank turn. The airplane turned left about 180° and descended behind trees. The airplane collided with a hangar then terrain before it came to rest in the driveway of a residence. The engine sounded normal from the beginning of the takeoff roll until impact. There was no post-impact fire. The airplane was constructed of mostly tube and fabric, and it sustained extensive damage from impact. The cockpit area was crushed. Both wings remained attached to the fuselage but were pushed aft with extensive leading-edge damage. The tail section exhibited minor damage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site and reported that flight control continuity for the left wing and tail section were established; however, the right aileron was fractured. A section of the right aileron push/pull tube separated from the airplane and was located in the grass near the wreckage. The section of fractured aileron tube was retained and further examined by the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-Charge. Visual examination of the fractured ends of the tube were consistent with overload. The engine sustained impact damage. Compression was achieved on each cylinder when the engine crankshaft was rotated. The fuel, ignition, cooling, and lubrication systems were also examined and no anomalies were observed. The two-bladed propeller remained secured to the engine and both blades exhibited leading edge damage. One of the blades was twisted in its hub due to impact. A postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The 79-year-old pilot did not have an FAA medical certificate. He was flying a Light Sport Aircraft, and as such, was medically eligible to fly as a light sport pilot with a valid driver’s license. A review of his pilot logbook revealed the last entry was made on April 8, 2022. At that time, he had logged a total of 245.5 flight hours, of which 17.2 hours were in the accident airplane. Before the date of the last log entry, the last time the pilot flew the accident airplane was in February 2022. According to the autopsy report from the Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Decatur, Georgia, the pilot’s cause of death was multipleblunt force injuries, and the manner of death was an accident. Toxicology testing by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory screened negative for drugs of abuse in the pilot’s hospital admission serum sample. Ketamine was detected in the pilot’s cavity blood and urine; its metabolite norketamine was also detected in his cavity blood and urine. Cetirizine, amitriptyline, and its metabolite nortriptyline were detected in the pilot’s urine, but not in his cavity blood. The high blood pressure medications diltiazem and propranolol, the gastric reflux medication famotidine, and the topical anesthetic pramoxine were detected in the pilot’s cavity blood and urine; these four medications are generally considered non-impairing. Hospital records document the administration of ketamine, diltiazem, propranolol, and famotidine. Thus, these drugs were postaccident findings. The hospital records did not show that the potentially impairing medications amitriptyline or cetirizine were administered at the hospital. The pilot’s wife denied any medication use by the pilot. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant that is also used for chronic nerve pain; it is available by prescription. Amitriptyline has a long half-life—30 to 50 hours. Since this medication was not found in either the pilot’s serum or cavity blood and only trace amounts of amitriptyline and its metabolite nortriptyline were in his urine, the source of the amitriptyline was most likely from blood transfusions received postaccident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6136Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6136Y-2023-04-01), registration cancelled 2023-04-01, S/N 001, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KOLB FIRESTAR (II) - Registry model: [Geist Donald R KOLB FIRESTAR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/geist-donald-r-kolb-firestar-ii) (registry code 05903B1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2001 - Engines: Rotax 503 DCI 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 0GE5, Mountain Airpark, runway 18, 2,500 × 130 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: fatal; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 245.5 total, 17.2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: AJR, 9 nm away - METAR: SA 08/07/2022 16:55-> METAR KAJR 081655Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 33/22 A3009 ## 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 20220708022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220708022739A), Jul 8, 2022: Geist Donald R KOLB FIRESTAR II, Cleveland, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On July 8, 2022, at approximately 1:05PM EST, [privacy data omitted], attempted to take off from Mountain Airpark in Cleveland, GA (0GE5) in his Kolb Firestar… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105438. 8.9 MB in all. - Airport video with sound (item 1, MP4, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16265111&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Video%20with%20Sound-Rel.mp4 - NTSB wreckage examination summary (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 2 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16371843&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Exam%20Report-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 874 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16264545&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16264895&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB medical officer - factual report (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16264784&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA301_Cleveland_GA_Medical_Factual_FINAL_04273-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16265121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20-%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16265008&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ECF%20-%20Pilot%20Logbooks%20and%20Maintenance%20Records-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.