Schwarzler KOLB MARK 3 N8979

Summary

On 3 September 1999 at about 18:30 local time, a Schwarzler KOLB MARK 3 registered N8979 was involved in an accident near Independence, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 September 1999 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Independence, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Independence State (7S5)

Coordinates

44.8307, -123.1999

Aircraft

Schwarzler KOLB MARK 3

Registration

N8979

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA99LA155

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while on approach.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot remained in the pattern during the aircraft's second test flight to check the flight characteristics and control responses. During a landing, the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at an altitude approximately 20 feet above the ground (agl), with an airspeed approximately 50 mph. According to the pilot, after crossing the threshold, the aircraft's left wing dropped suddenly, and the aircraft subsequently contacted the terrain. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he must have 'stalled' the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.