# NTSB LAX02LA297: Paige Kolb MK III, N6124U, Fresno, CA, September 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 2002, 18:34 local (Sep 27, 2002, 01:34 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.732223, -119.819725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7322&lon=-119.8197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55780 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55780/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA297 ## Probable cause the student pilot's excessive rotation and failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in a stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The experimental airplane collided with the runway during an attempted takeoff. During rotation, the airplane excessively pitched up and began a steep climb. After reaching about 25 to 50 feet above ground level, the airplane settled back to the runway, hitting the surface hard. After touchdown, the airplane accelerated and veered off to the left side of the runway. The student pilot did not have instruction or authorization to act as pilot-in-command of the airplane. The pilot stated that he was engaged in a process of self-instruction. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 2002, at 1834 Pacific daylight time, a Paige Kolb MK III experimental airplane, N6124U, collided with the runway during an attempted takeoff at the Fresno-Chandler Downtown Airport, Fresno, California. The student pilot was operating the airplane on a local personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board, a witness, who was also a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, stated that he saw the homebuilt airplane begin a takeoff roll on runway 30R. During rotation, the airplane excessively pitched up and began a steep climb. After reaching about 25 to 50 feet above ground level, the airplane settled back to the runway, hitting the surface hard. Upon touchdown, the airplane was slightly nose high and had a forward velocity. The airplane appeared to accelerate after touchdown and continued to veer off to the left of the runway. The FAA inspector further stated that the student pilot did not have instruction or authorization to act as pilot-in-command of the airplane. The pilot told him that he was engaged in a process of self-instruction. The pilot also revealed to him that he had performed mechanical work including the assembly of the airplane, yet he did not hold a repairman or mechanic certificate. Despite several attempts by the Safety Board, the pilot failed to submit a NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6124U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6124U-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N M3-304, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Paige Kolb MK III - Registry model: [Paige James G KOLB MARK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/paige-james-g-kolb-mark-iii) (registry code 05607H3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M3-304 - Engines: Bombardier ROTAX reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Matthew Potter - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: FCH, Fresno, CA - Destination: FCH, Fresno, CA - Airport: FCH, Fresno-Chandler Downtown Airpo, runway 30R, 3,006 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 200 total, 2 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: KFAT, 6 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 20020926026059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020926026059A), Sep 26, 2002: Amtr KOLBMK3, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 9/26/02 at 1834PDT, Mr. Matthew j. potter, pilot in command of N6124U, a kolb MK-3 experimental/homebuilt aircraft departed runway 30R at Fresno… 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.