Amateur-built STOL CH 801 accident near Fort Morgan, Colorado, March 14, 2009
On March 14, 2009 at about 5:40 pm local time, a amateur-built STOL CH 801, registered N130WM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fort Morgan, Colorado (Fort Morgan Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The complete loss of engine power, as reported by the pilot, for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 14, 2009 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Morgan, Colorado · Fort Morgan Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built STOL CH 801
- Registration
- N130WM · registry record · serial 84113
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after rotation and about 50 feet above the runway, the airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose over, but was unable to arrest the descent before impacting the runway. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down position and both occupants were able to exit unassisted. Following the airplane's recovery, the engine was started and operated from idle through 2,500 rpm with no observed problems. An examination of the fuel tank, the fuel filter, and the fuel lines failed to reveal any anomalies or obstructions which would have restricted the fuel flow. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Hard landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 198 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 102 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 14, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 31 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 3, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FMM Fort Morgan CO at 5:40 pm
- Destination: EIK Erie CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 5,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 6:00 pm from FMM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.