Amateur-built LB-1 accident near Haines, Alaska, December 15, 2021
On December 15, 2021 at about 6:20 pm local time, a 2021 amateur-built LB-1, registered N555LB, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Haines, Alaska (Airkat Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information, which resulted in a precautionary landing and impact with snow.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 15, 2021 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Haines, Alaska · Airkat Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LB-1, built 2021
- Registration
- N555LB · registry record · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After performing a preflight inspection and a successful run-up of the engine, the pilot initiated a takeoff. After becoming airborne, the engine “faltered.” The pilot lowered the nose, decreased the flaps, and confirmed that the throttle was set at the full power position, but the airplane continued to descend. During a precautionary landing, the airplane bounced; on the second touchdown the tires sunk into the snow and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he did not believe there was any type of internal engine failure. A postaccident engine run revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the weather conditions found that they were not conducive to carburetor ice. A reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,850 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 70 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 8,600 as pilot in command; 400 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 12, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: PAJN Juneau AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 1,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 18 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 16°F (-9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from PAGY, 21 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAGY 151753Z AUTO 04018G27KT 10SM FEW070 BKN085 M09/M18 A3001 RMK AO2 PK WND 05031/1701 SLP161 T10941183 11083 21100 51028 TSNO $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 8, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Gdas Sounding Text | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Email Roc | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Email | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Accident Picture | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.