Robbins KOLB FIRESTAR accident near Gilbertsville, PA
On June 9, 1997, a Robbins KOLB FIRESTAR was involved in an accident near Gilbertsville, PA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 9, 1997
- Place
- Gilbertsville, PA
- Aircraft
- Robbins KOLB FIRESTAR · ULTR
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 40.319°N, 75.600°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08226
NTSB summary
On June 9, 1997, about 1930 eastern daylight time, an unregistered homebuilt ultralight, a Robbins KOLB FireStar, was substantially damaged during an uncontrolled descent and impact with the ground, while maneuvering over the Gilbertsville Shopping Center, Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania. The non-certificated operator/owner of the ultralight was fatally injured, and the passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the New Hanover Airport (N62), New Hanover, Pennsylvania, about 1920. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 103. During an interview with the passenger, she stated that prior to takeoff from N62, she telephoned her mother to inform her that they would be flying over the Gilbertsville Shopping Center, where the mother worked. The passenger stated that she and the operator liked to "fly low and wave at people on the ground." She and the vehicle operator departed N62, and the flight to the shopping center took about 5 minutes. She stated that when they arrived at the shopping center, they flew over it "just above building height." When they reached the end of the shopping center, they began a right turn. She estimated that the bank angle was between 30 and 45 degrees. During the turn, the bank angle increased. The operator looked over his shoulder in her direction and "appeared to wiggle" the control stick, which had not effect on the ultralight. The ultralight then descended and struck the ground. The passenger also stated that the operator had owned the ultr
Probable cause
The noncertificated operator's improper decision to fly low over a congested area, which resulted in an abrupt maneuver to avoid a collision with a tethered blimp, and the subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
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Browse: Pennsylvania
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
