History of Flight
On May 25, 2008, at approximately 0949 mountain daylight time, an amateur-built Kolb Kolbra airplane, registration N49KK, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Skinner Ranch Airport (12OR) in Jordan Valley, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91; no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal local flight departed from a private airstrip near Jordan Valley at an undetermined time.
Witnesses adjacent to the accident site reported observing the airplane overflying the runway at low altitude and entering a steep right turn. As the turn progressed, the airplane descended below a hill and impacted rocky terrain. One witness noted hearing the engine speed up just before the sound of impact. Another witness stated that during the turn, the wings appeared nearly perpendicular to the ground.
Pilot Information
The 58-year-old pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane multi-engine ratings and a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and helicopter ratings. He also held a flight instructor certificate with airplane single-engine, airplane multi-engine, and instrument airplane ratings, along with multiple type ratings in transport category aircraft. A second-class medical certificate was issued on January 3, 2008, with the limitation "must wear corrective lenses." According to the pilot's logbook, he had accumulated 15,541.1 total flight hours, including 1,640 hours in the accident make and model as of May 11, 2008.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear amateur-built experimental airplane, serial number KB01-3-00008, was built in 2002. It was powered by a Rotax 912 engine and equipped with a Warpdrive Inc. model 6BLWT3HPLR fixed-pitch propeller. A condition inspection was completed on October 26, 2007, at an airframe total time of 1,515.0 hours and engine total time of 800.7 hours.
Meteorological Information
Recorded data from the Rome State Airport, Rome, Oregon, located 34 miles southwest of the accident site, indicated at 0952 conditions were wind variable at 6 knots, temperature 15°C, dew point 4°C, and altimeter setting 29.98 inHg. Witnesses in the area reported visibility greater than 10 miles and a clear sky.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the airplane came to rest inverted in an open field. All primary flight controls were located at the accident site. The right wing was crushed aft and partially separated from the fuselage. The forward area of the fuselage was crushed aft. The tail boom and empennage separated aft of the cockpit and were relatively undamaged. Debris remained within a 10-foot radius of the main wreckage. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all primary controls and engine. Rotational continuity was established through the engine when the propeller was rotated by hand. No anomalies were noted during the engine or airframe examination.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Malheur County Coroner's office conducted an autopsy on May 28, 2008. The medical examiner determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs returned negative results.