Amateur-built KOLB MARK 3X accident near Lawrence, Kansas, May 1, 2013
On May 1, 2013 at about 5:40 pm local time, a amateur-built KOLB MARK 3X, registered N125KP, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lawrence, Kansas (Pvt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to depart with a tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 1, 2013 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Lawrence, Kansas · Pvt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KOLB MARK 3X
- Registration
- N125KP · registry record · serial M3X0340049
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noncertificated pilot departed to the south in a light sport airplane from a soft dirt field. A witness heard the airplane's engine and saw the airplane make a slight right turn before it impacted a fence and trees at the end of the field. A postimpact examination of the aircraft and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Wind conditions reported 6 miles from the accident site were from 060 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 14 knots; thus the airplane was likely subject to a tailwind during the departure.
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Flight time: 3 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 1, 2012
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582DCDI-99 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Pvt Lawrence KS
- Destination: Pvt Lawrence KS
- Runway 18, 300 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from LWC, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.