Kolb FIRESTAR II accident near West Alexandria, Ohio, October 16, 2022
On October 16, 2022 at about 1:20 pm local time, a 1997 Kolb FIRESTAR II, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N4878P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near West Alexandria, Ohio. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 16, 2022 · about 1:20 pm local time
- Place
- West Alexandria, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Kolb FIRESTAR II, built 1997, amateur-built · all FIRESTAR IIs on the register
- Registration
- N4878P · registry record · serial F1067
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice pattern work. After two uneventful takeoffs and landings, he attempted a third takeoff. After liftoff, the right wing dipped, and he corrected with left aileron. The right wing continued to drop, and he added additional left rudder and nose down elevator to avoid a stall. The airplane enterd an aerodynamic stall/spin and impacted a cornfield to the north of the runway. The pilot was seriously injured. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the wreckage and determined that damage to the wings and fuselage was substantial. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with 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 in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 96 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 96 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 19, 2022
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 65 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 11, 2022; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 725 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 65 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 1,048 ft by 77 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 am from DAY, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDAY 161256Z 20006KT 10SM BKN075 10/01 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP155 T01000006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 7, 2023. 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 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Statement Confirming Substantial Damage | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Perry Township Oh Police Department Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 5 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.