# NTSB CEN19LA006: Cessna 120, N1881N, Hudson, CO, October 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2018, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Hudson, CO - Coordinates: 40.110832, -104.700836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1108&lon=-104.7008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98471/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98471 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA006 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## 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: [Cessna 120, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071402), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land with quartering tailwind. He stated that he noticed a strong crosswind and decided to go around. During the go-around, the pilot added engine power; however, the engine did not develop full power. The engine began to sputter and surge as the airplane continued to climb but did not regain power, so the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage. A postaccident engine test run was performed. The engine started without hesitation, but damage to the engine and propeller prevented testing the maximum power setting. Although the engine operation during the go-around is similar to that which would be experienced if carburetor ice had accumulated during the approach, the weather conditions at the time were just outside those at which ice would accumulate. Therefore, the reason for the partial loss of engine could not be determined. ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on September 3, 2020. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** On October 13, 2018, about 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 120 airplane, N1881N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Lupton, Colorado. The pilot and passenger both sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a statement provided by the pilot, while attempting to land on runway 33 at Platte Valley Airpark (18V), Hudson, Colorado, the pilot noticed a strong crosswind and decided to go around. During the go-around, the pilot added engine power the engine did not develop full power. The engine began to sputter and surge as the airplane continued to climb. The engine did not regain power, so the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane settled into a cornfield and nosed over. The airplane was transported to a salvage facility and the engine set up for a functional test run. The engine started without hesitation and ran at idle power without incident. Damage to the engine and propeller prevented testing the maximum power setting. A review of carburetor icing probability chart found that the airplane was not operating in an area at the edge of having the potential for icing at a glide power setting. During recovery of the airplane about 7 gallons of fuel was recovered from both tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1881N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1881N-2020-06-12), registration cancelled 2020-06-12, S/N 12125, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12125 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Continental C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CO12, Brighton, CO - Destination: 18V, Hudson, CO - Airport: 18V, Platte Valley Airpark, runway 33, 4,100 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 610 total, 51 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: KDEN, 17 nm away ## 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 20181013019949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181013019949A), Oct 13, 2018: Cessna 120, Fort Lupton, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed van-aire skyport (CO12) in brighton, CO at 1420 and headed north to hudson-Platte Valley Airpark(18V). PIC stated he was on approach to… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 19, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98471. 1.7 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120 Not Received (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Not%20Received-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 656 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484600&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484601&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 4, .PDF, 314 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart%20-Master.PDF - Engine Run Notes (item 5, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Run%20Notes-Master.PDF - Factual Narrative Changes (item 6, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Factual%20Narrative%20Changes-Master.PDF - Photos (item 7, .PDF, 553 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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.