At about 20:10 EDT, a homebuilt Kolb Mark III crashed into Shenango River Lake. The unlicensed pilot and passenger were killed. The airplane had been kept at Brookfield Airpark, and more than a year had passed since the last annual inspection. The owner had removed the certificate of registration and airworthiness from the airplane. The owner also reported that the key to the airplane and the helmets used by the pilot and passenger were stolen from a locked garage. Witnesses saw the airplane fly under a bridge and continue to operate as low as 6 feet off the water. While maneuvering between two bridges that were about 3,400 feet apart, the airplane pulled up into a vertical climb to about 300 feet, then continue into a loop. The airplane crashed nose-down into the water. FAA records showed neither occupant had ever held an airman certificate or medical certificate, but the airport manager at Brookfield reported that he had previously observed the person identified as the pilot flying in ultralights with other pilots.
July 4, Clark, Pa. / Kolb Mark III
At about 20:10 EDT, a homebuilt Kolb Mark III crashed into Shenango River Lake. The unlicensed pilot and passenger were killed. The airplane had been kept at Brookfield Airpark, and more than a year had passed since the last annual inspection. The owner had removed the certificate of registration and airworthiness from the airplane. The owner also reported that the key to the airplane and the helmets used by the pilot and passenger were stolen from a locked garage. Witnesses saw the airplane fly under a bridge and continue to operate as low as 6 feet off the water. While maneuvering between two bridges that were about 3,400 feet apart, the airplane pulled up into a vertical climb to about 30...
Key Takeaways:
- An unlicensed pilot and passenger were killed when their homebuilt Kolb Mark III crashed into Shenango River Lake after attempting a loop.
- The aircraft was significantly overdue for its annual inspection, and its owner had removed the registration and airworthiness certificates, reporting the key stolen.
- Neither occupant held an airman or medical certificate, although the identified pilot had previously been observed flying ultralights.
- Witnesses reported the plane flying extremely low, including under a bridge, before attempting the fatal vertical climb and loop.
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