Series Of Tornados Have Killed Nearly A Dozen People In The Area, Wiped Out Airports

The sport aircraft business can be a tough one...

especially when Mother Nature decides you need special attention -- and not in a good way. 

The folks at London-Corbin Airport's Kolb Aircraft reached to ANN early yesterday to let us know that they were all safe and counted for but that their manufacturing facility was pretty much wiped out. The rugged folks at Kolb report that, "As of right now the death toll in London KY is at 9... None of our staff were injured in the storm. The factory facility was hit by the tornado and destroyed

We were able to salvage most raw materials tools and jigs from the wreckage, we are moving everything we were able to save, to an offsite location until we determine a new place to operate out of.

We intend to continue serving our loyal customer base although this process of rebuilding may take several weeks. We are so thankful to all of the people who have reached out to offer support or their thoughts and prayers.

We were lucky in that all of our people are alright, but our hearts and prayers go out to those who lost their lives in this terrible storm."

Several airports in the area reported serious damage and the loss of a number of aircraft, with visual evidence of extensive hangar and aircraft destruction... so recovery will be neither swift or inexpensive. One media outlet described the appearance of the airport as looking like, "a landfill."

The Kolb series of ultralight and light aircraft span decades of sport aviation history and were originally developed by a brilliant and unassuming designer, Home Kolb. 

Through all the ups and downs of the business, the Kolb series has survived due to outstanding design criteria, excellent handling, and solid performance and rugged engineering. The designs have consistently placed highly in the SportPlane Resource Guide's Report Cards... and we have hopes that this will continue for some time -- after the Kolb folks resurrect the company. We'll keep you apprised of their progress and wish them the best. 

FMI: https://www.kolbaircraft.com/