# NTSB FTW03LA052: Shepherd Kolb Mark III, N4672D, Norfork, AR, November 28, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 28, 2002, 14:56 local (20:56 UTC) - Place: Norfork, AR - Coordinates: 36.165554, -92.144996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1656&lon=-92.1450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56148/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA052 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident were the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - fluid,fuel - water - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the homebuilt experimental airplane lost power approximately 100 feet AGL. During the ensuing forced landing, and the airplane descended through trees and came to rest upright. Examination of the engine revealed water in the carburetor bowl. According to the pilot, the airplane was flown for 5 hours in the past 90 days and the fuel tank was left half full for a "long time" before being filled prior to the day of the flight. The pilot reported that he had sumped the fuel tank during pre-flight prior to the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 2002, at 1456 central standard time, a Shepherd Kolb Mark III homebuilt experimental airplane, N4672D, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power shortly after takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Norfork, Arkansas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 350-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that, prior to take off, he refueled the airplane with 28 gallons of 93-octane automotive fuel and checked the fuel sump for signs of contamination. After a normal takeoff, the engine "quit" approximately 100 feet AGL. Subsequently, the airplane descended into a tree line and came to rest upright. The pilot reported that the airplane sustained structural damage to the cabin section of the fuselage and the right wing. He also reported that he found water in the carburetor bowl. Upon discovering water in the carburetor bowl, the pilot drained 26 gallons of fuel from the tank and found no visible signs of water. The pilot stated that he suspected that "fuel contamination" was the reason for the loss of engine power. The pilot further reported to an FAA inspector who responded to the site of the accident, that the airplane had been flown for 5 hours in the past 90 days and the fuel tank was left half full for a "long time" before being filled prior to the day of the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4672D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4672D-2003-03-18), registration cancelled 2003-03-18, S/N 0100, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Shepherd Kolb Mark III - Registry model: [Shepherd Dallas KOLB MARK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/shepherd-dallas-kolb-mark-iii) (registry code 05626GN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0100 - Airframe hours: 203 - Engines: Subaru 2200 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dallas Shepherd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE, Norfork - Destination: NONE, Norfork, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 203 in this make and model, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg ## 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 20021128035089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021128035089A), Nov 28, 2002: Amtr KOLBMK3, Norfork, AR, Destroyed. (-23) N4672D, dallas shepherd/kolb mark iii, experimental, at 1446 CST, nov 28, 2002, took off from a grass field in Norfork ar. Lost power about one hundred… 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.