Friday, September 03, 2021

Rand Robinson KR-2S, N729PK: Fatal accident occurred September 03, 2021 near Wadsworth Municipal Airport (3G3), Medina County, Ohio

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio


Location: Wadsworth, OH 
Accident Number: CEN21LA395
Date & Time: September 3, 2021, 10:16 Local 
Registration: N729PK
Aircraft: KLAPP PETER A KLAPP KR-2S
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 3, 2021, about 1016 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Klapp KR2S airplane, N729PK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Wadsworth Municipal Airport (3G3), Wadsworth, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data indicated that the airplane took off from runway 20 at 3G3 at 1011. The airplane proceeded to the southwest after takeoff. When the airplane was about 2.5 miles southwest of the airport, a 180° left turn was executed to a northeast ground track back toward the airport traffic pattern. The airplane made a gentle left turn and paralleled the runway, consistent with the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 20. When the airplane was approximately abeam the approach end of runway 20, it made a rapid descent. The final position was recorded at 1016. 



The airplane impacted a small lake about 0.8 miles and 100° from the approach end of runway 20 and fragmented upon impact. A pilot in another airplane reported hearing the pilot announce on his communication radio that he was returning to the airport due to a canopy problem. Airplane components were recovered from the lake and were retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: KLAPP PETER A 
Registration: N729PK
Model/Series: KLAPP KR-2S 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
.
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBJJ,1137 ft msl
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 330°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4600 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Wadsworth, OH 
Destination: Wadsworth, OH

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.003637,-81.738904 

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.


Peter Allen Klapp
AUGUST 26, 1947 – SEPTEMBER 3, 2021


Peter A. Klapp, 74, of Canton, OH, passed away unexpectedly on September 3, 2021.

He was born in Plainfield, NJ, on August 26, 1947, to Alfred E. Klapp and Josephine A. Klapp (nee Hodulik). He graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, NJ, and then from Walsh College where he earned his BA in History. Pete enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon completing his tour of duty, he earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Akron and obtained his professional engineer’s license. He worked as a civil engineer at Republic Steel, Enduro Steel, and Goodyear Aerospace. In 1988, he began his own business, Well-Built Homes, proudly serving customers as a meticulous craftsman for over 30 years.

Peter is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved identical twin brother Paul E. Klapp. He is survived by his two children David (Beth) Klapp, and Anna (Chad) Malek, and his five grandchildren, who he loved so much, Jeremy and Melanie Klapp, Max, Mia, and Luca Malek; former wife Tory (Terry) McGonegal. Also survived by his siblings, Sharon (John) Ellicson, Philip (Denise) Klapp and Louise (Larry) Pettit and sister-in-law Linda Romano Klapp, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In his retirement, Pete devoted his time to the two things that brought him the most joy: his family, especially his grandchildren, and his home-built airplane. Always generous with his time, Pete completed countless home improvement projects for family and friends, both near and far, and worked on many airplanes of fellow friends in the Experimental Aircraft Association flying club, of which he was a member of Chapters EAA 82 and EAA 846.

He was our father, grandfather, brother, and friend and there are no words to express how much his patient, steady, and kind heart will be missed. We take comfort knowing he passed doing what he loved. By his example we are challenged to do difficult things, to be unafraid to follow dreams, and to take flight in our own ways.

Peter was a proud military veteran, so in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Honor Flight Network, www.honorflight.org, or Homes for Our Troops, www.hfotusa.org.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 10:30 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 241 S. Main St. North Canton, OH, 44720 (Masks and Social Distancing are kindly requested). A military committal service will immediately follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Rd., Seville, OH, 44273. An outdoor celebration of life, at which all are welcome, will follow immediately a 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Park, 274 Grandview Ave. Wadsworth, OH, 44281 at the Main Pavilion. Please join us in remembering Pete wherever you feel most comfortable.


WADSWORTH, Ohio — One person is dead after a plane crashed in Wadsworth on Friday afternoon, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The Wadsworth police say a Rand Robinson KR-2S took off from the Wadsworth airport Friday and crashed in a nearby pond.

The plane was only in the air for about two to three minutes, OSHP said.

On Friday afternoon, a News 5 reporter on scene said a body was pulled from the water.

According to OSHP, the pilot has been identified as Peter Klapp, 74, of Canton.

Sergeant Ray Santiago, of the OSHP, said the pilot was in contact with the tower prior to the crash and there may have been a mechanical failure.

A dive team responded. Some of the wreckage is submerged, and some is not.

The OSHP said people nearby reported hearing an explosion.

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration were at the crash site.

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