Kolb Mark II accident near Chisholm, Minnesota, July 29, 2008
On July 29, 2008, a Kolb Mark II, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chisholm, Minnesota (Private Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2008
- Place
- Chisholm, Minnesota · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Kolb Mark II, amateur-built
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial TS 0117
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The uncertificated pilot of an unregistered airplane encountered a partial loss of engine power about 200 feet above ground level and the airplane impacted tall vegetation during a forced landing. The pilot said the engine continued to run and it produced "no power." The pilot elected to land straight ahead and impacted "small brush" and tall grass in a "swamp." The pilot reported no airplane mechanical malfunctions associated with the flight. He, in part, stated, "Did not determine cause of power failure but could possibly be prevented by doing more [thorough] inspection of aircraft."
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Flight time: 60 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 40 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 CDI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Chisholm MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.