# NTSB CEN09LA214: Marlman Stol CH 801, N130WM, Fort Morgan, CO, March 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 2009, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Fort Morgan, CO - Coordinates: 40.33361, -103.802223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3336&lon=-103.8022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73499 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73499/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA214 ## Probable cause The complete loss of engine power, as reported by the pilot, for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Marlman Bill STOL CH 801, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05610Z4), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Marlman Bill STOL CH 801, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05610Z4), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Marlman Bill STOL CH 801, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05610Z4), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after rotation and about 50 feet above the runway, the airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose over, but was unable to arrest the descent before impacting the runway. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down position and both occupants were able to exit unassisted. Following the airplane's recovery, the engine was started and operated from idle through 2,500 rpm with no observed problems. An examination of the fuel tank, the fuel filter, and the fuel lines failed to reveal any anomalies or obstructions which would have restricted the fuel flow. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2009, about 1140 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Marlman STOL CH 801 airplane, N130WM, was substantially damaged during impact with the runway, following a complete loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Fort Morgan Municipal Airport (FMM), Fort Morgan, Colorado. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 60-nautical mile cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Erie Municipal Airport (EIK), near Erie, Colorado. According to the pilot, shortly after rotation and about 50-feet above the runway, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose over, but was unable to arrest the descent before impacting the runway. The airplane came to rest on the runway, in a nose down position, and both occupants were able to exit unassisted. Both wings and the fuselage sustained structural damage during the impact. The airplane was recovered to Beegles Aircraft Services of Greeley, Colorado. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspected the airplane and provided oversight for an engine run. To facilitate the engine run, the damaged propeller and engine oil filter was replaced with serviceable units. According to the inspector, the engine was started and operated from idle through 2,500 rpm with no observed problems. An examination of the fuel tank, the fuel filter, and the fuel lines failed to reveal any anomalies or obstructions which would have restricted the fuel flow. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined ## Aircraft - Registration: [N130WM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N130WM-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 84113, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MARLMAN STOL CH 801 - Registry model: [Marlman Bill STOL CH 801](https://openairdocs.org/model/marlman-bill-stol-ch-801) (registry code 05610Z4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2c) (registry code 42102, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 84113 - Airframe hours: 31 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fanning Dan W - Registered owner: Fanning Dan W - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 3, 2008 - Departed: FMM, Fort Morgan, CO - Destination: EIK, Erie, CO - Airport: FMM, Fort Morgan Municipal, runway 32, 5,200 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 198 total, 20 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: FMM ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090314001969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090314001969A), Mar 14, 2009: Marlm STOLCH801, Fort Morgan, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft was taking off and at about 90 feet the engine died. Plane crash landed on landing gear tearing the nose landing gear from the aircraft. Both… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.