# NTSB NYC91DHA01: James Cote Kolb Twinstar MK II, N2224N, Gilbertsville, PA, October 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1990, 10:52 local (14:52 UTC)
- Place: Gilbertsville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.320262, -75.600532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3203&lon=-75.6005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DHA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DHA01

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER AN INTERUPTION OF POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (cause)

## Analysis

A WITNESS STATED, '...THE AIRCRAFT MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF. AT APPROXIMATELY 100', THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE AND THE ENGINE PICKED UP AGAIN. THE PILOT STARTED A SLOW LEFT TURN AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN. AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND NOSE DOWN, NEAR VERTICAL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2224N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2224N-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N TS-0112, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES COTE KOLB TWINSTAR MK II (KOLB TWINS)
- Registry model: [Cote James O KOLB TWINSTAR MK II](https://openairdocs.org/model/cote-james-o-kolb-twinstar-mk-ii) (registry code 05612UA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: TSO112
- Airframe hours: 184
- Engines: ROTAX 503 47 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Huganir, Bruce L.
- Registered owner: Huganir, Bruce L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1990, 13 hours before
- Departed: N62
- Airport: N62, New Hanover, runway 13, 2,455 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 225 total, 93 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDG, 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 19901014044989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901014044989A), Oct 14, 1990: Amtrkb TWINSTAR, New Hanover, PA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine sputtered on takeoff. Pilot stalled ultralight in a steep turn, apparent intention to return to land.

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.

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