Accident Overview
On July 28, 2008, at approximately 1930 central daylight time, an amateur-built Kolb Mark II airplane, which was not registered, experienced a loss of engine power while in flight. The aircraft subsequently struck tall vegetation during a forced landing near Chisholm, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had originated from a private airstrip in the vicinity. The pilot, who was not licensed, sustained serious injuries, while one passenger incurred minor injuries. The aircraft suffered substantial damage.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, a preflight inspection revealed the fuel tanks to be 90 percent full. The pilot then flew a 30-mile loop and returned for a landing. After landing, a quick visual inspection from inside the cockpit indicated the fuel level was approximately 50 percent. The engine was not shut down, nor did the pilot exit the aircraft for this inspection. Subsequently, the pilot taxied and performed a normal takeoff. At an altitude of about 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. Though the engine continued to run, it produced no power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead, and the airplane impacted small brush and tall grass in a swampy area.
Post-Accident Findings
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight. In a statement, the pilot noted that the cause of the power failure was not determined, but suggested that a more thorough inspection of the aircraft might have prevented the occurrence.