Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB SEA08LA138
Kolb Kolbra — Jordan Valley, OR
| Date | May 25, 2008 |
| Location | Jordan Valley, OR |
| Aircraft | Kolb Kolbra (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 58 |
| Pilot total time | 15,541 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 1,640 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering that led to a stall/mush.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
Witnesses located adjacent to the accident site reported observing the airplane overhead at a low altitude as it entered a steep right turn. As the turn progressed, the witnesses watched the airplane until it descended below a hill and impacted rocky terrain. One witness added that prior to the sound of impact, he heard the "engine speed up." Another witness stated that as the airplane was turning, its wings appeared to be almost perpendicular to the ground. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed structural damage to the fuselage and right wing. No anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation.