- Date
- August 27, 1995, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place
- Mansfield, TX
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N141KEIsaacson Kolb Twin Star MK II
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 21, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950827046449A
- Case key
- 19556
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the loss of engine power for undertermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. A factor was the pilot's lack of flying experience.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
After takeoff, the engine lost power at low altitude. The student pilot reported that he attempted to 'put the stick forward to get airspeed for landing, but did not have enough altitude.' Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground approximately 45 degrees nose down. The fuel tank was found to be 3/4 full. No record was found to indicate that the pilot had a solo endorsement on his student pilot certificate.
Factual narrative
On August 27, 1995, at 0820 central daylight time, an Isaacson, Kolb Twin Star MK II, homebuilt airplane, N141KE, impacted terrain following a loss of power after takeoff from Flying "L" Airpark near Mansfield, Texas. The student pilot and his passenger received serious injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The experimental airplane, owned by the pilot, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.
The pilot reported that, after takeoff, and climbing through 300 feet above ground level, the "engine failed with no warning signs" while in a right turn. He further reported that, he attempted to "put the stick forward to get airspeed for landing, but did not have enough altitude." Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground approximately "45 degrees" nose down. A witness observed the aircraft descend into a plowed field, and roll over after impact. The airplane came to rest inverted at the initial point of impact.
Examination of the airplane at the site by a FAA inspector, revealed the following: The support structure tubing for the tail section was bent approximately 160 degrees backward, under the cabin section. Both support braces for the main landing gear exhibited upward bending, and the fuselage was deformed and bent. Additionally, the fuel tank was found to be approximately 3/4 full.
The pilot purchased the airplane in March of 1994; however, no record was found that indicates aircraft registry in the pilot's name. Additionally, no record was found that indicates that the pilot had a solo endorsement on his student pilot certificate.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N141KE
- Reported as
- Isaacson Kolb Twin Star MK II (KOLB TWIN)
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 140
- Engine
- Rotax 532-UL, 64 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Johnny Brown
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · February 9, 1993
- Departed
- 6TX7
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 51
- Certificate
- Student
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2 total · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- FTW, 20 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.