Kolb TWINSTAR TA-2 N4281Z

Summary

On 23 October 1998 at about 20:52 local time, a Kolb TWINSTAR TA-2 registered N4281Z was involved in an accident near Bryan, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 October 1998 at 20:52

Classification

Accident

Location

Bryan, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Coulter Field (CFD)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Kolb TWINSTAR TA-2

Registration

N4281Z

Category

Ultralight

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW99FA016

1 person died.

The pilot's loss of control as result of the partial separation of the elevator trim tab resulting in the inability to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the improper design and installation of the elevator trim tab.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness observed a shinny piece of metal trailing behind the ultralight. The witness stated that 'the nose of the ultralight bobbed up and down a couple of times' followed by the 'airplane nosing over to the near vertical position.' According to the manufacturer, the ultralight is not equipped with an elevator trim tab. Trim in the standard ultralight is accomplished by adjusting the spring tension on the elevator control cable from inside the fuselage cage near the control stick. The accident ultralight had been modified by the addition of a fabric covered trim tab surface on the trailing edge of the left elevator. The silver painted trim tab measured approximately 5 by 20 inches. Paint transfers, chaffing and rubbing found on the rudder and right elevator indicated that the elevator trim tab had separated from the trailing edge of the left elevator prior to ground impact. The mounting for the outboard bracket, supporting one side of the trim tab, was found loose. Paint transfer and chaffing on the trailing edge of the elevator indicated that the bracket had been loose prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.