Briseno Samuel KOLB FIREFLY N139SB

Summary

On 13 September 2025 at about 17:30 local time, a Briseno Samuel KOLB FIREFLY registered N139SB was involved in an accident near Cave Junction, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 September 2025 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cave Junction, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Illinois Valley (3S4)

Coordinates

42.1036, -123.6824

Aircraft

Briseno Samuel KOLB FIREFLY

Registration

N139SB

Category

Airplane

Year built

2003

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

WPR25LA287

1 person was seriously injured.

The non-certificated pilot's improper landing flare in turbulent wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot reported that, during his first flight in the recently purchased airplane, he encountered turbulence on the base and final legs of the airport traffic pattern. While on the final approach to land, the airplane encountered a gust of wind that resulted in a hard landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage and lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident he was landing on runway 36 with wind variable at 5 knots, gusting to 10 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.