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December 24, 1998 · Dean KOLB Firestar 1 KOLB Fires · N643FS

Davenport, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 24, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Davenport, FL
Aircraft
Dean KOLB Firestar 1 KOLB Fires
Tail Number
N643FS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA054

The pilot did not calculate weight and balance information for the planned flight. This resulted in an aft center of gravity condition. The pilot experienced a loss of directional control on initial takeoff climb which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. The pilot stated he had not flown in 3 years. He indicated on the NTSB accident report that he had not logged any flight time in the accident airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations, resulting in a loss of directional control on initial takeoff climb due to an aft center of gravity flight condition, in flight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot lack of total and recent experience (0 flight hours) in the Kolb Firestar 1 airplane.

Full Narrative

On December 24, 1998, at about 1045 eastern standard time, a Dean, Kolb Firestar 1, N643FS, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of directional control on climb out from the Gore Airport, Davenport, Florida, and collided with trees. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated about 1 minute before the accident. The pilot stated he has not flown in about 3 years, and that he did not have a current medical certificate. He completed two high speed taxis up and down the runway before departing for takeoff to the east. Once he became airborne the airplane started veering to the right. He lost directional control, and the airplane collided with trees and terrain. The pilot stated examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. The pilot told the FAA that he had experienced a substantial weight loss since he last flew the airplane. According to weight and balance information produced from the aircraft blue prints, the pilot calculated that he was outside the aft center of gravity limit at takeoff, which resulted in the loss of directional control. Review of the pilot's total flight time entered in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report revealed that he had not recorded as logged any flight time in the Kolb Firestar 1 experimental airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDean KOLB Firestar 1 KOLB Fires
Tail NumberN643FS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind13 kt
Visibility13 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data