Hoye KOLB TWINSTAR MK III accident near Bigfork, MT
On June 21, 2000, a Hoye KOLB TWINSTAR MK III (airplane) was involved in an accident near Bigfork, MT. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 21, 2000
- Place
- Bigfork, MT
- Aircraft
- Hoye KOLB TWINSTAR MK III · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.740°N, 113.740°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X21339
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 20, 2000, about 2030 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Kolb Twinstar Mark III, N618HP, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain during an uncontrolled descent near Bigfork, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and student pilot passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed from Whitefish, Montana, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses in the area reported observing the aircraft perform various flight maneuvers at low levels prior to the aircraft pitching down and colliding with the terrain in a near vertical attitude. One witness, who prepared a written statement, (See witness statement attachment) reported that she was about one and a half miles away, and in her house when she first observed the aircraft. The witness reported that the aircraft was in a steep turn, about 500 feet above ground level, and that both wings were visible to her. The aircraft then went to wings level and began a steep climb. The aircraft then reversed course and decreased altitude as if to land at the Ferndale Airport. The witness then saw the aircraft again about 30 seconds later in a steep climb, starting at about 300-400 feet, for about three seconds. The witness stated, "The angle of this flight is neither over or under exaggerated." (Refer to witness statement diagram). The witness further stated, "I say this especially because that flight angle is hard to believe.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Inadequate altitude for recovery was a factor.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
- Cessna 550, Dec 18, 1992
- Beech V35B, Jun 24, 1982
- Cessna 182C, May 12, 2007
Browse: Montana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
