Panama City, FL, USA
UNREG
Unknown Kolb Mark III
A witness reported to the FAA investigator in charge that the pilot departed without warming up the engine, and during the takeoff, the airplane barely cleared trees past the departure end of the runway. There were no known witnesses to the accident but examination of the accident site, which was located approximately 2 miles east-southeast of the departure airport, revealed the airplane descended nearly vertical. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Examination of the propeller revealed minor damage (nick) to one of the propeller blades. An adequate supply of fuel was noted in the airplane's plastic fuel tank, and fuel was noted in the carburetor bowls.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 27, 2007, about 1030 central standard time, an unregistered Kolb Mark III, experienced an in-flight loss of control and crashed in a marsh/swampy area near Panama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal (CFR) Part 91, local, personal flight from Sandy Creek Airpark, Panama City, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated about 1018, from Sandy Creek Airpark. A witness on the departure airport reported to the FAA inspector-in-charge that the pilot departed without warming up the engine, and during the takeoff, the airplane barely cleared trees past the departure end of the runway. There were no known witnesses to the accident but examination of the accident site, which was located approximately 2 miles east-southeast of the departure airport, revealed the airplane descended nearly vertical. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot was the holder of a commercial pilot certificate with ratings airplane single engine land and sea, and multi-engine land. The latest certificate was issued on October 12, 2000. He was issued a third class medical certificate on May 12, 2004, with a restriction to wear corrective lenses. The application for his last medical certificate indicated his total time was 2,000 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was designed by The New Kolb Aircraft Company as model Mark III Classic. The airplane was not registered and the serial number is unknown. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 582 engine rated at 65 horsepower. The 2-cylinder, 2-stroke, dual carbureted engine is liquid cooled with rotary valve inlet, electronic dual ignition, and dual circuit cooling system with integrated water pump and thermostat. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION A surface observation weather report taken at Panama City-Bay County International Airport (KPFN), Panama City, Florida, on the day of the accident at 1053, or approximately 23 minutes after the accident, indicates the wind was from 300 degrees at 5 knots, the visibility was 10 statute miles, clear skies existed, the temperature and dew point were 73 and 51 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, and the altimeter setting was 29.96 inHg. The accident site was located 122 degrees and 14.88 nautical miles from KPFN. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane crashed in a marsh/swamp area; the wreckage was located at 30 degrees 05.603 minutes North latitude and 085 degrees 25.951 minutes West longitude, or approximately 1.6 nautical miles and 112 degrees from the last departure point (Sandy Creek Airpark). Examination of the accident site by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed the airplane descended at a steep angle. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the fuel system revealed the plastic tanks located behind the seats contained approximately 9 gallons of fuel, and a fuel tank in the center of the wings was empty. The fuel selector was positioned to the plastic tanks. Examination of the engine revealed crankshaft continuity. Rotation of the engine was confirmed by activation of the ignition switch. Fuel was noted in the carburetor bowls, and the fuel inlet screen was clean. Examination of the spark plugs revealed all were "OK." Examination of the propeller revealed minor damage (nick) to one of the propeller blades. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Postmortem examinations of the pilot and passenger were performed by the District Fourteen Medical Examiner's Office. The cause of death for both was listed as blunt trauma. Toxicology analysis of specimens of the pilot was performed by the FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory (CAMI), located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and also by the University of Florida Diagnostic Reference Laboratories (University of Florida). The results of analysis by CAMI was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and tested drugs. The results of analysis by University of Florida was negative for volatiles and the comprehensive drug screen. The carboxyhemoglobin saturation was less than 1 percent. Toxicological analysis of specimens of the passenger was performed by University of Florida. The results of analysis was negative for volatiles. The comprehensive drug screen was negative in the submitted blood specimen. An unquantified amount of metoprolol was detected in the urine. The carboxyhemoglobin saturation was less than 1 percent. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The NTSB did not retain any components.
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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