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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 20, 2009 · Daniel L Patrick Kolb Mark 111 Extra · N208NS

Mystic, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Mystic, CT
Aircraft
Daniel L Patrick Kolb Mark 111 Extra
Tail Number
N208NS
Operator
Daniel L Patrick
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09LA531

According to the sport pilot, he was test flying the experimental airplane in the traffic pattern. While on final approach, with a flap setting of 20 degrees, he increased the flaps to 40 degrees. At that time, the airplane began to stall and he tried to increase engine power. He stated that when the airplane stalled, his airspeed was too slow and he was too low. The left main landing gear contacted the top of some trees and then impacted the ground. The pilot stated that he had about 4 hours in the accident airplane and that he was still test flying it. His total time in make and model was approximately 9 hours and his total pilot time was about 60 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during final approach, resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.

Full Narrative

On September 20, 2009, at 1040 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Kolb Mark III Extra, N208NS, collided with the tops of trees while on final approach to Wychwood Field Airport (CT48), Mystic, Connecticut. The certificated sport pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was test flying the airplane in the traffic pattern. While on final approach, with a flap setting of 20 degrees, he increased the flaps to 40 degrees. At that time the airplane began to stall and he tried to increase engine power. He stated that when the airplane stalled, his airspeed was too slow and he was too low. The left wheel hit the top of some trees and then went down. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane was observed about 100 feet into the woods in a nose low attitude. The left wing spar was snapped, the tail boom was broken into two pieces, and there was impact damage to the right wing. Damage to the engine consisted of the carburetors, exhaust and engine mounts. The airplane was certificated and issued a special airworthiness certificate on August 6, 2009. The pilot stated that he had about 4 hours in this airplane and that he was still test flying it. His total time in this make and model was approximately 9 hours and his total pilot time was about 60 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:40 EDT
Nearest AirportWychwood Field (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDaniel L Patrick Kolb Mark 111 Extra
Tail NumberN208NS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDaniel L Patrick
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHks · 700 · Reciprocating · 60
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 48
Altimeter30.36 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data