Basinski KOLB MK3 N128BB

Summary

On 8 April 1997 at about 16:00 local time, a Basinski KOLB MK3 registered N128BB, operated by Ivor James LEE II, was involved in an accident near Winter Haven, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 April 1997 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Winter Haven, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.0397, -81.7197

Aircraft

Basinski KOLB MK3

Registration

N128BB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Ivor James LEE II

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA97LA120

1 person died.

failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed after an oil leak occurred, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent collision with a residence and the terrain. The oil leak and the pilot's diverted attention were related factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses located at a seaplane base and boaters on a lake observed the airplane making touch-and-go landings at the lake. The airplane took off to the north and turned to the west. Blue and white smoke was observed coming from the vicinity of the engine. The airplane appeared to loose forward airspeed while in a climb at about 100 to 200 feet. The left wing dropped, then the airplane entered a spin to the left and collided with a house trailer and the ground. Examination revealed the oil sump return line was disconnected from the oil sump, and oil was found on the leading edge of the empennage (behind the engine). The oil sump was empty, and the stainless steel clamp on the return line was loose. No other precrash mechanical failure was found with the engine, airframe, or flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.