# NTSB NYC05LA087: Kolb Mark III, Clay Center, OH, April 30, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 30, 2005, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Clay Center, OH - Coordinates: 41.563888, -83.481109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5639&lon=-83.4811&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 61627 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61627/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA087 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, about 50 feet agl, the engine began to slowly lose power and the airplane structure began to vibrate. The pilot elected to return to the airstrip, and performed a 180-degree turn. As the airplane neared the airstrip, the engine regained power, but then subsequently began to surge. The pilot recalled that in the past, the engine would lose power, but would always regain power a few seconds later. He decided to continue the flight, and after flying over the runway, chose to return back to the runway in case the engine lost total power. During the turn towards the runway, approximately 30-40 feet agl, the engine again began to lose power. The pilot lowered the nose in an attempt to gain airspeed and level the wings; however, the right wing struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest. The pilot noted that the engine continued to run for about 1 minute after the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2005, about 1635 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur built Kolb Mark III, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power after takeoff from a private airstrip in Clay Center, Ohio. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he had flown the airplane with the passenger earlier in the day for approximately 1.5 hours, and noted no abnormalities with the engine. After refueling, the pilot and passenger again boarded the airplane, and departed on another flight to conduct takeoffs and landings. During the initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, about 50 feet agl, the engine began to slowly lose power and the airplane structure began to vibrate. The pilot elected to return to the airstrip, and performed a 180-degree turn. As the airplane neared the airstrip, the engine regained power, but then subsequently began to surge. The pilot recalled that in the past, the engine would lose power, but would always regain power a few seconds later. He decided to continue the flight, and after flying over the runway, chose to return back to the runway in case the engine lost total power. During the turn towards the runway, approximately 30-40 feet agl, the engine again began to lose power. The pilot lowered the nose in an attempt to gain airspeed and level the wings; however, the right wing struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest. The pilot noted that the engine continued to run for about 1 minute after the accident. The pilot maintained the airplane and no maintenance records were kept. The airplane was powered by a 2-cycle, 2-cylinder Rotax 532 engine. The Federal Aviation Administration was not notified of the accident until one of their inspectors noted it on the Internet on May 3, 2005. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Kolb Company Mark III - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: Rotax 532 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Anthony J. Kusian - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE, Clay Center, OH - Airport: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 76 total, 30 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F 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.