# NTSB DEN91DTM01: Historical A-001, N839, Durango, CO, October 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1990, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Location: 37.2645° N, 107.8741° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Durango, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2645&lon=-107.8741&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91DTM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91DTM01

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF CARBURETOR HEAT EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - carburetor heat control - not installed (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. THE PILOT CONDUCTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ONTO LEVEL TERRAIN COVERED BY LOW TREES. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N839](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N839-2000-06-27), registration cancelled 2000-06-27, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT CORP. A-001
- Registry model: [Eberspacher Warren A HAC MODEL A-001](https://openairdocs.org/model/eberspacher-warren-a-hac-model-a-001) (registry code 056167B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: FORD 2300 CC 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warren A. Eberspacher
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1990, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 546 total, 546 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901007066339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901007066339A), Oct 7, 1990: Durango, CO, Substantial damage. First flight. Lost power on climbout. Landed in trees. Carb icing. No carb heat installed.

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.