Cessna 120 accident near Hudson, Colorado, October 13, 2018
On October 13, 2018 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1946 Cessna 120, registered N1881N, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Hudson, Colorado (Platte Valley Airpark 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 partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 2018 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hudson, Colorado · Platte Valley Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 120 No Series, built 1946 · all 120s on the register
- Registration
- N1881N · no longer on the register · serial 12125
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to land with quartering tailwind. He stated that he noticed a strong crosswind and decided to go around. During the go-around, the pilot added engine power; however, the engine did not develop full power. The engine began to sputter and surge as the airplane continued to climb but did not regain power, so the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage. A postaccident engine test run was performed. The engine started without hesitation, but damage to the engine and propeller prevented testing the maximum power setting. Although the engine operation during the go-around is similar to that which would be experienced if carburetor ice had accumulated during the approach, the weather conditions at the time were just outside those at which ice would accumulate. Therefore, the reason for the partial loss of engine 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 (partial) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down 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: 610 hours in all; 51 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,451 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CO12 Brighton CO
- Destination: 18V Hudson CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 4,100 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KDEN, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 19, 2020. 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 | NTSB Form 6120 Not Received | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Passenger Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Carburetor Icing Probability Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Run Notes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Factual Narrative Changes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.