# NTSB FTW99LA173: Libersat Kolb Mark 3, N106RL, Vidor, TX, June 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1999, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Vidor, TX - Coordinates: 30.12018, -94.000778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1202&lon=-94.0008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46615/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot lost control of the amateur-built experimental airplane while maneuvering at 800 feet agl near his property. The pilot stated that when he initiated a left turn from a heading of 360 to 270 degrees, the aircraft entered a 'slip,' from which he could not recover. The airplane was in a left turn when it impacted a tree on the pilot's property. According to the pilot, his wife and son heard the engine and stated that it 'was not running right.' He added that 'all controls were working.' The FAA inspector stated that he rotated the engine crankshaft by hand and found automobile gasoline and oil in the engine. No anomalies were found that would have prevented operation of the engine. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1999, at 1215 central daylight time, a Libersat Kolb Mark 3 amateur-built experimental airplane, N106RL, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged upon impacting a tree and terrain while maneuvering near Vidor, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant and builder of the airplane, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, which originated from Orange County, Texas, at 0900. According to a telephone interview conducted by the FAA inspector, who examined the accident site, the pilot reported that he circled around his property about two times after practicing landings at the Orange County airport. On the third pass at 800 feet agl, he initiated a left turn from a heading of 360 degrees to 270 degrees, and the aircraft entered a "slip." The pilot added that he could not recover from the slip and was losing altitude. The FAA inspector stated that the airplane was in a left hand turn when it clipped the top of a 75 foot tall pine tree. Subsequently, the airplane spun around and impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that his wife and son, who witnessed the accident, reported that the "engine was not running right;" however, he could not hear the engine, due to the helmet and built-in headset he was wearing. The pilot added in the report that "all controls were working, elev., ail., & rudder." The FAA inspector reported that the left wing's spar was fractured and bent up, the cockpit area was compromised, and the landing gear was bent up. Additional damage was sustained by one of the propeller blades. The FAA inspector stated that the engine crankshaft could be rotated by hand. He added that he found automobile gasoline and oil in the Rotax engine. One of the two carburetors was separated from the engine. No anomalies were found that would have prevented operation of the engine. At 1153, the reported weather conditions at Beaumont, Texas, which is 10 miles south of Vidor, Texas, were winds from 110 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 9 statute miles, ceilings broken at 2,700 feet agl, temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 75 degrees Fahrenheit, altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N106RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N106RL-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N M3-105 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LIBERSAT KOLB MARK 3 (KOLB MARK) - Registry model: [Libersat Rick M KOLB MARK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/libersat-rick-m-kolb-mark-iii) (registry code 05623D8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 105 - Airframe hours: 79 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rick M. Libersat - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1999, 35 hours before - Departed: ORG, ORANGE COUNTY, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 78 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BPT, 10 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990620007229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990620007229A), Jun 20, 1999: Amtr KOLBMK3, Vidor, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was on a 00 degree heading and an altitude of 800 to 900 feet. Pilot induced loss of control, when attempting to turn to a 270 degree heading and… 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.