Amateur-built KOLB FIREFLY accident near Luffenhall, Gb, June 20, 2017
On June 20, 2017 at about 9:20 am local time, a amateur-built KOLB FIREFLY (ultralight), registered GCEPN, was involved in an accident during maneuvering near Luffenhall. 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2017 · about 9:20 am local time
- Place
- Luffenhall, United Kingdom
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KOLB FIREFLY UNDESIGNAT
- Registration
- GCEPN · no longer on the register · serial FF05.4.00048
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 20, 2017, about 0920 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Kolb Firefly ultralite, British registration G-CEPN, impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Newell Lane, Luffenhall, Hertfordshire, England. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating the accident. As the state of manufacture of the airplane and engine, the NTSB has designated a U.S. accredited representative to assist the AAIB in its investigation. All inquiries concerning this accident should be directed to the AAIB in England: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Farnborough House Berkshire Copse Road Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2HH, United Kingdom Website:http://www.aaib.gov.uk
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 maneuvering defining event
Pilot
No details recorded.
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 661 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.