# NTSB SEA96LA110: Stelly Kolb Firestar II, N2213U, Independence, OR, June 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 1996, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Independence, OR - Coordinates: 44.830627, -123.200721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8306&lon=-123.2007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42381 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42381/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA110 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. The aircraft's excessive gross weight was a related factor. ## 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 - aircraft weight and balance - excessive (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot reported that just after takeoff, at an altitude of 40 to 50 feet above ground level, and at an indicated airspeed of 35 MPH, 'the nose and left wing pitched up and started to roll to the right.' The pilot attempted to counteract with 'forward left stick.' He stated that the nose then lowered, but the right roll continued. The aircraft impacted the ground right wing first. Information supplied with the pilot's accident report listed the airplane's maximum gross weight as 725 pounds and its stall speed as 30 MPH. The pilot supplied a gross weight computation with his accident report, indicating an actual aircraft gross weight of 727 pounds befpre takeoff. The pilot used a pilot weight for this computation which was 12 pounds lower than the weight given on his FAA medical certificate. The pilot indicated on his accident report that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 1996, at approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Stelly Kolb Firestar II, N2213U, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain on initial climbout from Independence State Airport, Independence, Oregon. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The experimental-category homebuilt aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR 91 with a destination of Lebanon, Oregon, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot stated: "Just after takeoff (at approximately 40'-50' [above ground level]) and 35 mph indicated, the nose and left wing pitched up and started to roll to the right. I counteracted the movement with forward left stick, to lower the nose and level the wings. The nose lowered but the aircraft continued to roll to the right. [The aircraft] contacted the ground between the runway and the east parallel taxiway on the grass." The passenger, who owned the aircraft, described the sequence of events as follows: "Lifted off runway, don't know how high, felt some bumps. Right wing slowly came down. Right wing came down[,] hit ground[,] then we hit." Aircraft data furnished with the pilot's accident report list the aircraft's gross weight as 725 pounds and its stall speed as 30 mph. A weight and balance computation furnished by the pilot with his accident report indicated that the aircraft's gross weight prior to takeoff was 727 pounds. The pilot listed his weight as 180 pounds for this computation; a copy of his FAA medical certificate, dated May 5, 1995, listed his weight as 192 pounds. The pilot indicated on his accident report that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2213U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2213U), registered now, S/N 1929 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stelly KOLB FIRESTAR II (KOLB FIRES) - Registry model: [Stelly Floyd J KOLB FIRESTAR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/stelly-floyd-j-kolb-firestar-ii) (registry code 05625C5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1929 - Airframe hours: 69 - Engines: Rotax 503 46 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Benjamin T. Masengil - Registered owner: Michael L. Splawn - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1996, 7 hours before - Departed: 7S5 - Destination: S30, LEBANON, OR - Airport: 7S5, Independence State, runway 34, 3,070 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 369 total, 6 in this make and model, 369 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19960601012629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960601012629A), Jun 1, 1996: Amtr FIRESTARMK12, Independence, OR, Substantial damage. Uncommanded right roll on climbout wing hit. Cartwheeled. At or over gross. Indicates one wing stalled. 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.