# NTSB MIA91LA096: Bartholomew Kolb Twinstar, N860RB, Bronson, FL, March 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1991, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Bronson, FL
- Coordinates: 29.439384, -82.629348 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4394&lon=-82.6293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA096

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO INITIATE A FLIGHT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN HIS EQUIPMENT IN THAT HIS AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS INOPERATIVE.  HE THEN FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED IN A TURN ON FINAL APPROACH, STALLED, AND CRASHED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PILOT INITIATED THE FLIGHT KNOWING THAT THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS INOPERATIVE.  THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ON FINAL APPROACH WHEN IT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT 360-DEGREE TURN.  THEY STATED THE LEFT WING STALLED AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND CRASHED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE, AIRPLANE AND FLIGHT CONTROLS REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N860RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N860RB-1994-10-07), registration cancelled 1994-10-07, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARTHOLOMEW KOLB TWINSTAR
- Registry model: [Bartholomew Ronald E KOLB TWINSTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/bartholomew-ronald-e-kolb-twinstar) (registry code 0561298) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: ROTAX UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert E. Bartholomew
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: X60, WILLISTON, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Observed at: GNV, 12 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 19910312005249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910312005249A), Mar 12, 1991: Amtrkb TWINSTAR, Bronson, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Was observed on approach to open field then make a steep low altitude turn stalled and fell vertically to 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.