Pilot Debrief

INMAN J D KOLB MARK III near Ozark, AR — 2009-01-07

Final reportCEN09LA134
Sign in to save
Date
2009-01-07
Location
Ozark, AR, USA
Aircraft
INMAN J D KOLB MARK III
Registration
N313JD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the pilot maintaining a high angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall when the engine failed.

NTSB narrative

During takeoff, about 20 feet above the ground, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The sport pilot was unable to recover from a nose-high attitude prior to the airplane stalling and landing hard. During the landing rollout, the airplane contacted a berm resulting in substantial damage to the airplane and serious injuries to the pilot. An examination of the airplane revealed fuel contamination. The source of the fuel contamination could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel quality more thoroughly before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

Related mishaps