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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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September 14, 2021 · Kolb Mark III · N4365E

Steamboat Springs, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Steamboat Springs, CO
Aircraft
Kolb Mark III (1991)
Tail Number
N4365E
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA425

The pilot flew the airplane with the previous owner in Indiana before purchasing it and driving it on a trailer to Steamboat Springs. A witness reported that the pilot intended to taxi around his private airstrip to get a better feel for the airplane. The airplane subsequently lifted off the ground, cleared several fences, and was about 20 ft above the ground when the airplane’s nose suddenly lowered and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot told the witness that he did not intentionally lower the nose of the airplane. The pilot later told a family member that he stalled the airplane. The airplane was not made available for investigators to examine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Full Narrative

On September 13, 2021, at 1830 mountain daylight time, a Kolb Mark III airplane, N4365E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot’s wife, who witnessed the accident, reported that the pilot recently purchased the airplane. She stated that the pilot flew the airplane with the previous owner in Indiana before driving it on a trailer to Steamboat Springs. On the day of the accident, the pilot intended to taxi the airplane around his private airstrip to get used to the feel of the airplane. The airplane subsequently lifted off, cleared several fences, but only made it about 20 ft above the ground when the airplane’s nose suddenly lowered and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The witness stated the engine was still running and she was unable to turn it off when she reached the accident site. The pilot told the witness that he did not command the airplane down but that it just fell. The pilot later told a family member that he stalled the airplane. The airplane was not made available for investigators to examine the airframe or flight control system. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 MDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Strip (0nm)
RunwayUNK
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKolb Mark III
Tail NumberN4365E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 F
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data