# NTSB ERA13LA429: De Havilland DH 82A, N9410, Rhinebeck, NY, September 22, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 2013, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Rhinebeck, NY - Coordinates: 41.969722, -73.86444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9697&lon=-73.8644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA429 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88115/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88115 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA429 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, which resulted in a forced landing into trees. ## 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: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2801002), [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: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he performed an engine run-up before takeoff and checked the magnetos twice at different rpm settings and noted no discrepancies. He applied full power during takeoff and noted that the engine was developing full power. At the departure end of the runway and after the pilot had reduced power, the engine began to backfire and lose power. He immediately turned the airplane for a downwind landing on the runway, and the engine quit. After the airplane cleared trees, he slipped the airplane to lose altitude but realized that he was running out of available runway. He then intentionally maneuvered left and collided with trees. The engine was run briefly postaccident, and no discrepancies were noted. A prolonged engine run at full power could not be performed due to damage to the engine mount. No discrepancies were noted with the air induction, ignition, or fuel system. Although the weather conditions were favorable for serious icing at glide power, the pilot reported that the engine developed full power during the takeoff, so it is unlikely that carburetor icing caused the loss of engine power. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 2013, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a De Havilland DH 82A, N9410, registered to and operated by a private individual, collided with trees during a forced landing at Old Rhinebeck Airport (NY94), Rhinebeck, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal, local flight from NY94. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant was not injured. The flight originated about 1 minute earlier from NY94. The pilot stated that before departure he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane which included checking the fuel tank and fuel strainer for contaminants; none were found. Before takeoff, he performed a magneto check twice; the first time was at idle and the second was at 1,500 rpm, no discrepancies were reported. With the wind from the north, he elected to depart to the north applying full power (the engine rpm indicated full power). At the departure end of the runway at 400 feet above ground level, he throttled back to between 1,300 and 1,400 rpm, and about 1 minute later with the mixture control full rich, the engine began backfiring with, "a couple of pops" then backfired hard and quit. The engine resumed operation a couple seconds later. He reported at the first sign of an engine issue he turned to return, and 2 more times heard a loud bang from the engine which quit. He reported that witnesses on the ground could hear the backfiring. After clearing trees he slipped the airplane to lose altitude for a downwind landing on the southerly oriented down sloping runway, and realized that he was running out of runway. With a road past the end of the runway, he intentionally directed the airplane to the left and collided with small trees which damaged both of the wings and also damaged the engine mount. Examination of the engine was performed by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization (IA) with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight. The engine was started briefly but a sustained engine run to full power could not be performed due to the damaged engine mount. Inspection of the air induction, ignition system, and fuel system components revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. No determination could be made as to the reason for the reported total loss of engine power. Although the conditions were favorable for serious icing at glide power (or reduced power) based on the temperature and dew point about the time of the accident (64 and 45 degrees, respectively), the pilot reported that the engine developed full power during the takeoff roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9410](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9410), registered now, S/N DE-941, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DH 82A - Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: DE-941 - Year built: 1940 - Airframe hours: 6164 - Engines: DEHAV ENG GIPSY MAJOR 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Maniatis Michael - Registered owner: Maniatis Michael - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2012 - Departed: NY94, Rhinebeck, NY - Destination: NY94, Rhinebeck, NY - Airport: NY94, Old Rhinebeck Airport, runway S, 2,200 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,198 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,198 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: POU, 21 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 20130922021289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130922021289A), Sep 22, 2013: Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, Red Hook, NY, Substantial damage. On 09/22/2013 at 1915Z a DH82A, tiger moth, N9410, was participating in the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome airshow when the engine started to backfire and lose power.… ## Other investigations on N9410 (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA16LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA065), Dec 12, 2015: Dehavilland Tiger Moth DH 82A (N9410), Modena, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to a stuck No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88115. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Statement from Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic with Inspection Authorization (item 3, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403506&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Airframe%20and%20Powerplant%20Mechanic%20with%20Inspection%20Authorization-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversation with Pilot-In-Command (item 4, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-In-Command-Master.PDF - FAA Engine Examination Report (item 5, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-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.