Pilot Debrief

MARLEY KOLB FIRESTAR II near Cedar Fort, UT — 2012-05-17

Final reportWPR12LA214
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Date
2012-05-17
Location
Cedar Fort, UT, USA
Airport
UT10
Aircraft
MARLEY KOLB FIRESTAR II
Registration
N9173T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while on approach for landing in gusting wind conditions.

NTSB narrative

A witness reported observing the airplane start to wobble while approaching the airport to land. She stated that it was a windy day and that a sudden wind gust caused the airplane to tip on its side while in the air; thunderstorms with microbursts were reported in the area at the time of the accident. She added that it appeared that the pilot attempted to level off the airplane but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently impacted open terrain near the runway and rolled several times before coming to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed primary flight control continuity.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing due to wind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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