Amateur-built Kolb Mark III accident near East Haddam, Connecticut, September 20, 2008
On September 20, 2008 at about 12:55 pm local time, a amateur-built Kolb Mark III, registered N350RB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near East Haddam, Connecticut (Goodspeed Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was water contamination of the fuel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 2008 · about 12:55 pm local time
- Place
- East Haddam, Connecticut · Goodspeed Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kolb Mark III
- Registration
- N350RB · no longer on the register · serial 299
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection, and an engine run-up before departing. He added 1.5 to 2 gallons of automotive gasoline to the fuel tank; however he did not stick the fuel tanks or check to see if there was any water present in the fuel tanks. He turned the boost pump on, and departed from runway 14. The airplane was on initial takeoff climb, about 300 feet when the engine sputtered and lost power. He immediately turned the airplane to the right in order to return to the airport, and the airplane collided with trees and came to rest inverted on the ground. Examination of both fuel tanks revealed the fuel tanks were not ruptured and the fuel caps had a tight seal. The airplane is not equipped with fuel sump drains. Examination of the fuel system revealed all fuel lines were intact and correctly routed. Water was present in the fuel lines and the carburetor bowls. The spark plugs were removed and the propeller was turned by hand. Compression and suction was available on all cylinders and engine continuity was confirmed from the forward section of the engine aft to the accessory case. Fire department personnel who responded to the accident site stated no water was used on the airplane.
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
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Fuel contamination during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 356 hours in all; 220 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 299 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 220 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2008; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 42B East Haddam CT at 12:55 pm
- Destination: 42B East Haddam CT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 2,120 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.36 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from HVN, 22 miles away
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.
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.