New Kolb Aircraft CO LLC KOLB FLYER SS accident near Lutz, Florida, July 11, 2020
On July 11, 2020 at about 3:26 pm local time, a 2008 New Kolb Aircraft CO LLC KOLB FLYER SS, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N38KF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lutz, Florida (Tampa North Aero Park airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane following an unannounced transfer of flight control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2020 · about 3:26 pm local time
- Place
- Lutz, Florida · Tampa North Aero Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- New Kolb Aircraft CO LLC KOLB FLYER SS No Series, built 2008, amateur-built
- Registration
- N38KF · no longer on the register · serial FK-1561
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was to prepare the student pilot for a solo cross-country flight. After taxiing to the end of the runway, the flight instructor told the student to perform a short field takeoff. The student pilot described that there was a crowd at the airport café, and that the flight instructor stated, “let’s show them what aviation is all about.” The student pilot said that the takeoff roll was normal, and as he pulled back on the flight control stick and began to pitch for a best climb attitude, the airplane struggled to fly. The student pilot then felt back pressure on the control stick and noted that the flight instructor was pulling the stick back more but had not initiated a positive transfer of controls. The airplane then veered to the left, the flight instructor pitched the nose down, and the airplane struck a berm off the left side of the runway before it “cartwheeled” twice and came to rest. During the accident sequence the airplane’s left wing and empennage were substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal 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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Instructor/check pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS SERIES; 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: PCM Plant City FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,541 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 am from KZPH, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KZPH 111515Z AUTO 31006KT 10SM CLR 31/26 A2995 RMK A02 LTG DSNT N T03060256
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 6, 2021. 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 - Request to Flight Instructor | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Student Pilot Interview Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Aircraft Owner Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Fuel Receipt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | 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.