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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 30, 1991 · Kolb Twinstar MK II Twinstar M · N503BP

Staples, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Staples, MN
Aircraft
Kolb Twinstar MK II Twinstar M
Tail Number
N503BP
Operator
William T Poage
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91DER10

WITNESSES REPORTED THEY WATCHED THE ULTRALIGHT TAKE OFF AND NOTED THE ELEVATOR OSCILLATING RAPIDLY, 'FLUTTERING.' THEY STATED THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND (AGL), THEN THE PILOT BEGAN A TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS: 'THE AIRPLANE STALLED, WENT INTO A SPIN AND CRASHED.' THE ULTRALIGHT IMPACTED TERRAIN IN A MARSHY AREA LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE TRIM TAB CONTROL CABLE HAD UNSPOOLED FROM THE TRIM TAB WHEEL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE DISCONNECTED ELEVATOR TRIM CABLE. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE/INSTALLATION, AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES REPORTED THEY WATCHED THE ULTRALIGHT TAKE OFF AND NOTED THE ELEVATOR OSCILLATING RAPIDLY, 'FLUTTERING.' THEY STATED THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND (AGL), THEN THE PILOT BEGAN A TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS: 'THE AIRPLANE STALLED, WENT INTO A SPIN AND CRASHED.' THE ULTRALIGHT IMPACTED TERRAIN IN A MARSHY AREA LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE TRIM TAB CONTROL CABLE HAD UNSPOOLED FROM THE TRIM TAB WHEEL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:05 CDT
Nearest AirportSTAPLES (1nm NW)
Runway32
Runway Length3304 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKolb Twinstar MK II Twinstar M
Tail NumberN503BP
Aircraft CategoryUltr
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam T Poage
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · M503 · Reciprocating · 48
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind40° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data