Pilot Debrief

KOLB Mark III near Steamboat Springs, CO — 2021-09-14

Final reportCEN21LA425
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Date
2021-09-14
Location
Steamboat Springs, CO, USA
Aircraft
KOLB Mark III
Registration
N4365E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot flew the airplane with the previous owner in Indiana before purchasing it and driving it on a trailer to Steamboat Springs. A witness reported that the pilot intended to taxi around his private airstrip to get a better feel for the airplane. The airplane subsequently lifted off the ground, cleared several fences, and was about 20 ft above the ground when the airplane’s nose suddenly lowered and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot told the witness that he did not intentionally lower the nose of the airplane. The pilot later told a family member that he stalled the airplane. The airplane was not made available for investigators to examine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the takeoff after feeling unstable.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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