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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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May 17, 2012 · Marley KOLB Firestar II · N9173T

Cedar Fort, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Cedar Fort, UT
Aircraft
Marley KOLB Firestar II
Tail Number
N9173T
Operator
Kurt Imig
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12LA214

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On May 17, 2012, about 1150 mountain daylight time, an experimental Marley Kolb Firestarter II airplane, N9173T, impacted the ground in an open field about 100 yards north of the Cedar Valley Airport (UT10), Cedar Fort, Utah. The sport pilot/owner, the sole occupant, operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot received serious injuries; the airplane came to rest inverted and was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from an unknown location. A witness reported that she observed the airplane start to wobble during its landing sequence. She stated it was a windy day and that a sudden gust of wind caused the airplane to tip on its side while in the air. It appeared that the pilot attempted to level off the airplane but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently impacted the open terrain near the runway and rolled several times before coming to rest inverted. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident site was able to establish flight control continuity. He reported local thunderstorms with microburst in the area. The pilot did not provide a completed NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1 nor a written statement to the investigator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 MDT
Nearest AirportCedar Valley Airport (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMarley KOLB Firestar II
Tail NumberN9173T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKurt Imig
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsReciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 45 C
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data