Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

August 8, 2019 · Moth Aircraft DH60GM · N919DH

Cortez, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Cortez, CO
Aircraft
Moth Aircraft DH60GM (1929)
Tail Number
N919DH
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA260

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, he reduced engine power to about 1,800 rpm and continued along a valley in a shallow climb. As the airplane approached a ridge, he turned the airplane back toward the valley and felt a “subtle sluggishness” of the airplane during the turn. He applied carburetor heat; however, it did not appear to have an effect, and he turned the carburetor heat off after about 20 seconds. The pilot continued toward an area of rising terrain because the engine was running smoothly and, he believed, producing enough power to return to the departure airport. The airplane descended and impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, empennage, and fuselage. The recorded temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious carburetor icing at a glide power setting. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane lost partial power due to the accumulation of carburetor ice, which resulted in a gradual descent and impact with terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice accumulation, which resulted in a loss of altitude and impact with trees.

Full Narrative

On August 7, 2019, about 1945 mountain daylight time, a Moth Aircraft Corp DH60GM airplane, N919DH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cortez, Colorado. The commercial pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, he reduced engine power to about 1,800 rpm and continued along a valley in a shallow climb. As the airplane approached a ridge, he turned the airplane back toward the valley and felt a “subtle sluggishness” of the airplane during the turn. He noted that the engine rpm was still about 1,800 rpm, and he applied carburetor heat. After about 20 seconds with the carburetor heat on, he noticed no perceptible change in the engine, so he turned off the carburetor heat to obtain maximum power. He stated that, even though the airspeed had decreased by about 10 mph and the engine did not seem to be producing full power, he did not believe the airplane was losing altitude; however, he stated that the airplane’s lack of a vertical speed indicator and sensitive altimeter made it difficult to ascertain a gradual loss of altitude, especially over uneven rising terrain. He continued toward an area of higher terrain, as the engine was running smoothly and he believed was producing enough power to return to the departure airport. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain and the pilot and passenger egressed. The wings, fuselage, and empennage sustained substantial damage. At 1953, the weather reported at Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ), Cortez, Colorado, about 16 miles west of the accident site, included a temperature of 80.6°F and a dew point 50°F. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was 34.45 percent. Review of the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were, "conducive to serious icing at glide power."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMoth Aircraft DH60GM
Tail NumberN919DH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsDehavilland · Gypsy II · Reciprocating · 120
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 74 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 F
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data