# NTSB SEA99LA155: Schwarzler Kolb Mark 3, N8979, Independence, OR, September 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1999, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Independence, OR - Coordinates: 44.830741, -123.199867 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8307&lon=-123.1999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47345 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47345/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while on approach. ## Analysis The pilot remained in the pattern during the aircraft's second test flight to check the flight characteristics and control responses. During a landing, the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at an altitude approximately 20 feet above the ground (agl), with an airspeed approximately 50 mph. According to the pilot, after crossing the threshold, the aircraft's left wing dropped suddenly, and the aircraft subsequently contacted the terrain. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he must have 'stalled' the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 1999, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Schwarzler Kolb Mark 3, N8979, registered to a private owner, and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal/pleasure flight, was substantially damaged while landing at Independence State Airport, Independence, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The flight originated from Independence approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. There was no fire, and no report of ELT activation. The pilot stated that no unusual difficulties were encountered during the aircraft's first test flight, which took place two days prior to the accident. On the second test flight, the pilot elected to stay in the pattern and check the aircraft's flight characteristics and control responses. During a landing, the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at an altitude approximately 20 feet above the ground (agl), with an airspeed approximately 50 mph. According to the pilot, after crossing the threshold, the aircraft's left wing dropped suddenly, and the aircraft subsequently contacted the terrain. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he must have "stalled" the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8979](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8979-2019-07-11), registration cancelled 2019-07-11, S/N M-1072, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schwarzler KOLB MARK 3 (KOLB MARK) - Registry model: [Schwarzler Robert KOLB MARK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/schwarzler-robert-kolb-mark-iii) (registry code 05604SF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M1072 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: Rotax 618 70 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Schwarzler - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, September 3, 1999, 2 hours before - Departed: 7S5 - Airport: 7S5, Independence State, runway 34, 3,070 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,413 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19990903026229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990903026229A), Sep 3, 1999: Amtr MARKIII, Independence, OR, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 3, 1999, about 1130 pacific daylight time, a schwarzler kolb mark 3, N8979, registered to a private owner, and operated by the pilot as a 14… 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.