April 20, 2018
The owner had purchased the Kolb Mark III airplane disassembled and “half restored” from what appeared to be prior accident damage. He and the accident pilot completed the repairs and assembly of the airplane using a “build manual” and a set of plans. The owner did not have airframe or engine logbooks for the airplane.
The accident pilot was supposed to be performing high-speed taxi testing of the Experimental/Amateur-Built airplane prior to the condition inspection; the owner did not know that the pilot intended to take off. After two high-speed taxi tests, the owner heard the pilot apply full power, and the airplane then lifted off the runway. The airplane had a high angle of attack and a steep angle of climb; the tops of each wing were visible on a video. The airplane turned right above the trees adjacent to the runway, entered the traffic pattern, then leveled, banked left, and dove into the ground. The sound on the video indicated the engine was operating normally through the flight.
A review of the pilot’s logbook revealed that he had no training in the accident airplane make and model and that he had not logged any flight experience in the 17 months before the accident.
Bubba’s last words before he started the plane were “hold my beer and watch this!”
I assume no BRS. My Dad had a Kolb during his final days. Good airplane. But when flying it, just sitting out there in the “lawn chair”, I kept my hand on the handle of the BRS.
No mention of one in the full NTSB report, and generally they do report if one was present. Since the aircraft had been purchased after a previous accident, it’s possible the BRS could have either been already discharged or not included in the sale.
I can’t find the previous accident in the NTSB record. It was likely never reported.
So, what’s your point? Flying lawnchairs deserve total respect and attention to every little detail and piece should anyone decide to become airborne as such. Wing loading, weight and balance, structural integrity, fuel systems, and anything else that might kill you needs your full attention, and maybe someone else’s eyes and opinion.
I think that Roger’s point was that he worried his late father’s Kolb might crash and that Kolbs should have BRS’s.
Yes, I agree. What I was trying to convey is that ultralights are far from the carefree aerial afternoon distraction but are quite the converse. These machines can be quite unforgiving in terms of handling, probably weather limitations and structural integrity. One problem with BRS systems is that they cost more than the ultralight and the mounting location could be problematic as well given that some ultralights are pusher models.
This Kolb accident reminded me about my flying partner. Back in the 80’s we were discussing the purchase of a Kolb II (I believe) out of Oregon. It was a dual, so he went flying with the owner builder on a check out flight. On the second circuit of the field something failed structurally. Both he and the owner died in the crash.
We never received a official report indicating what they found.
The point is from other Kolb owners is that it was a stable and safe aircraft. So hearing that someone with very little recent flight experience is sad.