Kolb MKIII UNREG

Summary

On 14 June 2003 at about 13:30 local time, a Kolb MKIII registered UNREG, operated by John E. Richmond, was involved in an accident near Bunnell, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 2003 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Bunnell, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Flagler County (X47)

Coordinates

29.4672, -81.2064

Aircraft

Kolb MKIII

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John E. Richmond

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bunnell → Bunnell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA03CA128

1 person had minor injuries.

The inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane by the pilot-in-command (pilot) for his failure to assure that the forward attachment of the right horizontal stabilizer was secured and safetied before flight resulting in rotation of the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer and in-flight loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that prior to the flight, the horizontal stabilizers which had been folded up were extended. He attached the lower elevator flight control cables and performed a preflight inspection of the airplane; he does not have a preflight checklist. Following the preflight, he started the engine and taxied to runway 24, and after landing traffic cleared the runway, he taxied onto the runway and applied power to takeoff. The airplane became airborne and when the flight was approximately 15 to 20 feet above ground level, he heard a "boom" sound, and experienced an immediate loss of elevator control. The airplane began a right turn and pitched nosed down. He reduced throttle to idle, and the airplane impacted the ground between runways 24 and 27. He later stated the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer rotated up 90 degrees. Each horizontal stabilizer (stabilizer) is structurally attached to the boom tube at the front and rear of each stabilizer. Additionally, a flying wire attaches to the top and bottom of each stabilizer. The front of each stabilizer is secured to the boom tube by a clevis and a safety pin which secures through a u-shaped bracket on the boom tube and a mating fitting on the stabilizer. The rear of each stabilizer is secured to the boom tube by a 1/4 inch diameter bolt and self locking nut which goes through a hinge. According to the pilot, postaccident the forward clevis pin and safety pin of the right stabilizer was not located. The upper and lower flying wires of the right stabilizer were not failed, and the 1/4 inch diameter bolt of the aft attach point was in-place.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.