New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS N38KF

Summary

On 11 July 2020 at about 15:26 local time, a New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS registered N38KF was involved in an accident near Lutz, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

11 July 2020 at 15:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Lutz, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Tampa North Aero Park (X39)

Coordinates

28.2172, -82.3708

Aircraft

New Kolb KOLB FLYER SS

Registration

N38KF

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Plant City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA20CA244

2 people had minor injuries.

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane following an unannounced transfer of flight control during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The purpose of the flight was to prepare the student pilot for a solo cross-country flight. After taxiing to the end of the runway, the flight instructor told the student to perform a short field takeoff. The student pilot described that there was a crowd at the airport café, and that the flight instructor stated, “let’s show them what aviation is all about.” The student pilot said that the takeoff roll was normal, and as he pulled back on the flight control stick and began to pitch for a best climb attitude, the airplane struggled to fly. The student pilot then felt back pressure on the control stick and noted that the flight instructor was pulling the stick back more but had not initiated a positive transfer of controls. The airplane then veered to the left, the flight instructor pitched the nose down, and the airplane struck a berm off the left side of the runway before it “cartwheeled” twice and came to rest. During the accident sequence the airplane’s left wing and empennage were substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.