# NTSB IAD97LA085: Mc Ardle Kolb Mark III, N1144T, Findlay, OH, June 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 1997, 20:45 local (Jun 11, 1997, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Findlay, OH - Coordinates: 41.039428, -83.639564 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0394&lon=-83.6396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28202 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28202/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA085 ## Probable cause The loss of power due to one of two carburetors disconnecting in flight for undetermined reasons, and the subsequent collision with the terrain during forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - fuel system,carburetor - disconnected (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The private pilot owner/builder of the experimental airplane took off from the private airstrip and climbed to 800 feet msl. Upon level off, the engine experienced partial power loss, followed by total power loss. The pilot stated that the carburetor came off in flight, and he attempted to return to the airstrip, but landed short in a cornfield. The engine utilized two carburetors. The detached carburetor was still attached to the throttle linkage. The attaching clamp remained on the rubber bushing on the engine. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 1997, at 2045 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Kolb Mark III, N1144T, was substantially damaged as it impacted the terrain during a forced landing near Findlay, Ohio. The certificated private pilot/owner and builder received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from a private airport, Lutz Field, about 2030. The pilot termed the departure as a normal take off and climb out to 800 feet msl. At level off, the engine lost partial power, and then, lost complete power. The pilot stated that the carburetor had come off in flight and he attempted to return to the airstrip, but was forced to land in a corn field. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the wreckage and reported that the landing gear was bent upward and the fuselage contacted the ground. The attaching bolts to the aft fuselage tubing structure, which supported the vertical rudder and horizontal elevators, were broken. The Inspector stated that the propeller, mounted on the engine behind and on top of the cabin facing aft, was fractured. The aft fuselage tubing structure directly below the propeller contained dents and scratches. Inspection of the flight and powerplant controls verified continuity. Fuel quantity remaining in one of the two 5 gallon tanks was estimated to be 2 quarts with the second empty. The engine contained two carburetors. One carburetor was found on top of the wing with the throttle linkage still attached. The mounting clamp to the detached carburetor remained attached to the rubber bushing on the engine. The Inspector reported that he was unable to check for a torque value. The second carburetor remained on the engine. The pilot reported that he had not recently done any maintenance on the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1144T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1144T-1999-09-27), registration cancelled 1999-09-27, S/N M3226 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mc Ardle KOLB MARK III (KOLB MARK) - Registry model: [Mcardle Bob KOLB MARK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcardle-bob-kolb-mark-iii) (registry code 05603TI) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M3226 - Airframe hours: 13 - Engines: Rotax 582 UL DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert J. Mc Ardle - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1996, 13 hours before - Departed: NONE, OH - Destination: NONE, BLOOMDALE, OH - Airport: NONE, Lutz Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 13 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FDY, 4 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 19970610013839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970610013839A), Jun 10, 1997: Amtr KOLBMK3, Findlay, OH, Substantial damage. (.4)The private pilot owner/builder of the experimental airplane took off from the private airstrip and climbed to 800 feet MSL. Upon level off, the engine… 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.