Kolb FIRESTAR accident near Cleveland, Georgia, July 8, 2022
On July 8, 2022 at about 5:05 pm local time, a 2001 Kolb FIRESTAR, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N6136Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Cleveland, Georgia (Mountain Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane on takeoff for unknown reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2022 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Georgia · Mountain Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Kolb FIRESTAR II, built 2001, amateur-built · all FIRESTARs on the register
- Registration
- N6136Y · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting a soft-field takeoff in his light-sport airplane. A review of surveillance video revealed that, as the airplane began its initial climb, the pitch angle increased, and the airplane entered a steep left bank turn. The airplane turned left about 180° and descended behind trees. The airplane collided with a hangar and terrain before it came to rest in the driveway of a residence. The engine sounded normal from the beginning of the takeoff roll until impact. Postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Review of postaccident medical records, including the autopsy data and toxicology reports, revealed no obvious medical issues that would have contributed to the accident. As such, the reason for the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane on takeoff was not determined.
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
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 245.5 hours in all; 17.2 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 DCI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,500 ft by 130 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from AJR, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SA 08/07/2022 16:55-> METAR KAJR 081655Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 33/22 A3009
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on January 4, 2024. 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 | Airport Video with Sound | video · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Medical Officer - Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
Other NTSB records under N6136Y 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.