# NTSB DEN91LA133: Joseph A. Mullan Dragon FLY, N226JM, Fort Collins, CO, September 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1991, 10:37 local (16:37 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.360633, -105.179969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3606&lon=-105.1800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA133

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING WHAT THE PILOT STATED WAS TAXI TESTS, THE AIRCRAFT INADVERTENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE.  WITH OVER 4500 FEET OF RUNWAY REMAINING, THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE FLYING.  APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER MILE UP WIND FROM THE RUNWAY END, THE ENGINE OUTPUT DETERIORATED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FRESHLY PLOWER FIELD.  ON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N226JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N226JM-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 63 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOSEPH A. MULLAN DRAGON FLY
- Registry model: [Mullan Joseph A DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/mullan-joseph-a-dragonfly) (registry code 05644SQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 63
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1835CC 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph A. Mullan
- Registered owner: Joseph A. Mullan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 200 total, 20 in this make and model, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910926043099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910926043099A), Sep 26, 1991: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Engine failed on first test flight climbout. Force landed plowed field and nosed over.

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.