Accident Details
On September 13, 2021, at 1830 mountain daylight time, a Kolb Mark III airplane, registration N4365E, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Witness Account
The pilot’s wife, who witnessed the accident, reported that the pilot had recently purchased the airplane. She stated that the pilot flew the airplane with the previous owner in Indiana before transporting it on a trailer to Steamboat Springs. On the day of the accident, the pilot intended to taxi the airplane around his private airstrip to become familiar with its handling. During the taxi, the airplane lifted off, cleared several fences, and reached an altitude of about 20 ft above ground level when the nose suddenly lowered and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
Post-Accident Information
The witness stated that the engine was still running after the accident, and she was unable to shut it off when she reached the site. The pilot told the witness that he did not command the airplane to descend but that it “just fell.” The pilot later informed a family member that he stalled the airplane. The airplane was not made available for investigators to examine the airframe or flight control system. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1).