Amateur-built COZY MARK IV accident near Anthony, New Mexico, February 1, 2017
On February 1, 2017 at about 10:36 pm local time, a 2016 amateur-built COZY MARK IV, registered N294MV, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Anthony, New Mexico (Cielo Dorado Estates Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during climbout for reasons an examination of the engine and fuel system was not able to determine, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 1, 2017 · about 10:36 pm local time
- Place
- Anthony, New Mexico · Cielo Dorado Estates Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built COZY MARK IV, built 2016
- Registration
- N294MV · no longer on the register · serial 0394
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot and private pilot were conducting a personal, local flight in a single-engine, amateur-built airplane. During takeoff, the private pilot applied full power and began to climb the airplane. During climbout, about 400 ft above ground level, the pilots noticed a total and abrupt loss of engine power. Following unsuccessful attempts to regain power, the airline transport pilot executed a forced landing to an uneven field, during which the right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination and testing of the engine and fuel system components revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. 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
- Attempted remediation/recovery during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 27,663 hours in all; 2,600 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 19,697 as pilot in command; 813 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 17, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,508 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 1,508 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 10, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 25, 2016; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 4 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NM05 Santa Teresa NM at 10:35 pm
- Destination: 5T6 Santa Teresa NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 400 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from KELP, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 1, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Correspondence with FAA Inspector and Mechanic | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Mechanic Exam | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N294MV the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.