Quest Aircraft Company LLC KODIAK 100 accident near Westport, Massachusetts, August 11, 2013
On August 11, 2013 at about 10:45 am local time, a 2010 Quest Aircraft Company LLC KODIAK 100, registered N10PZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Westport, Massachusetts (Friends Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A failure to achieve a positive climb rate after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 2013 · about 10:45 am local time
- Place
- Westport, Massachusetts · Friends Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Quest Aircraft Company LLC KODIAK 100, built 2010 · all KODIAK 100s on the register
- Registration
- N10PZ · registry record · serial 100-0040
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During departure from the 1,635-foot-long turf runway, the airplane impacted rocks and trees past the runway end. The pilot reported that he could not recall the events of the accident. One of the four passengers reported that he heard the engine advance to takeoff power "normally" and that he believed that the airplane became airborne before impact. Review of the manufacturer's performance data revealed that, given the atmospheric and loading conditions on the day of the accident, the distance required to take off and clear a 50-foot obstacle was about 920 feet. Examination of the flight control system revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the engine revealed significant circumferential rubbing, frictional heat discoloration, and material smearing signatures in the power section consistent with the presence of engine power at the time of impact. In addition, the compressor discharge air (P3) line pneumatic "B" nut fitting at the fuel control unit was visibly loose, and the "B" nut could be moved by hand. Further examination revealed that the No. 4 gearbox bolts and washers had been pulled from their threaded seats, likely during the impact sequence. The engine operated normally during postaccident functional checks. To determine the effect of the loose "B" nut fitting on the engine operation, the P3 line was manually manipulated to simulate takeoff vibrations, and the fitting was loosened to the extent possible; however, neither action affected the engine operation.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,867 hours in all; 453 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 51 in the last 30 days; 2,821 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 26, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 498 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 13, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 7,255 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Patt &Whitney Canada PT6A-34 (turboprop); 496 hours total
- Operator: Paxton Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: MA07 Westport MA at 10:45 am
- Destination: ORE Orange MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 01, 1,635 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from EWB, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.