# NTSB MIA08LA197: Berrie Kolb Mark III, N350RB, East Haddam, CT, September 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 2008, 08:55 local (12:55 UTC) - Place: East Haddam, CT - Coordinates: 41.445556, -72.455558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4456&lon=-72.4556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68961/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA197 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was water contamination of the fuel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Berrie Robert C KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05606SC), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Berrie Robert C KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05606SC), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Berrie Robert C KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=05606SC), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Berrie Robert C KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=05606SC), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Berrie Robert C KOLB MARK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05606SC), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection, and an engine run-up before departing. He added 1.5 to 2 gallons of automotive gasoline to the fuel tank; however he did not stick the fuel tanks or check to see if there was any water present in the fuel tanks. He turned the boost pump on, and departed from runway 14. The airplane was on initial takeoff climb, about 300 feet when the engine sputtered and lost power. He immediately turned the airplane to the right in order to return to the airport, and the airplane collided with trees and came to rest inverted on the ground. Examination of both fuel tanks revealed the fuel tanks were not ruptured and the fuel caps had a tight seal. The airplane is not equipped with fuel sump drains. Examination of the fuel system revealed all fuel lines were intact and correctly routed. Water was present in the fuel lines and the carburetor bowls. The spark plugs were removed and the propeller was turned by hand. Compression and suction was available on all cylinders and engine continuity was confirmed from the forward section of the engine aft to the accessory case. Fire department personnel who responded to the accident site stated no water was used on the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 2008, about 0855 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built, Kolb Mark III, N350RB, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees while maneuvering following a total loss of engine power, shortly after takeoff from Goodspeed Airport (42B), East Haddam, Connecticut. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported serious injuries. The flight was originating, at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he conducted a preflight inspection, and an engine run-up before departing. He added 1.5 to 2 gallons of automotive gasoline to the fuel tank; however he did not stick the fuel tanks or check to see if there was any water was present in the fuel tanks. No other anomalies were noted during the preflight inspection. He turned the boost pump on, and departed from runway 14. The airplane was on initial takeoff climb, about 300 feet when the engine sputtered and quit. He immediately turned the airplane to the right in order to return to the airport. He did not attempt to activate the ballistic parachute because the airplane was too low. He did not want to land straight ahead into a swamp due to a fear of being injured and drowning, since they did not have any flotation devices on. The airplane collided with trees and came to rest inverted on the ground. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Administration Inspector revealed it received structural damage to the airframe. Examination of the two fuel tanks revealed the fuel tanks were not ruptured and the fuel caps had a tight seal. The airplane is not equipped with fuel sump drains. Examination of the fuel system revealed all fuel lines were intact and correctly routed. Fluid was observed in the fuel lines and drained into a container. Water was observed in the drained fuel. The carburetor bowls were removed and water was observed in the bowls. No contaminants were noted in the fuel filters. Some sediment was present in the bottom of the fuel tanks. The spark plugs were removed and the propeller was turned by hand. Compression and suction was available on all cylinders and engine continuity was confirmed from the forward section of the engine aft to the accessory case. Fire department personnel stated they did not use any water on the airplane when they arrived at the crash site. They were subsequently recalled back to the accident site due to fuel leaking out of the airplane and they foamed the entire airplane and surrounding area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N350RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N350RB-2011-11-16), registration cancelled 2011-11-16, S/N 299, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Berrie Kolb Mark III - Registry model: [Berrie Robert C KOLB MARK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/berrie-robert-c-kolb-mark-iii) (registry code 05606SC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 299 - Airframe hours: 220 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert C. Berrie - Registered owner: Robert C. Berrie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2008, 11 hours before - Departed: 42B, East Haddam, CT - Destination: 42B, East Haddam, CT - Airport: 42B, Goodspeed Airport, runway 14, 2,120 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; last flight review August 1, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 356 total, 220 in this make and model, 299 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: HVN, 22 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 20080920849369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080920849369A), Sep 20, 2008: Berrie KOLBMARKIII, East Haddam, CT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot/owner lost power at approximately 300 AGL and turned right to avoid a swamp off the end of the runway. Aircraft impacted trees and then the ground.… 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.