Cessna 182 accident near Delta, Colorado, September 3, 2021
On September 3, 2021 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1961 Cessna 182, registered N9114W, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Delta, Colorado. It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was 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 that resulted in a forced landing and subsequent noseover. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2021 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Delta, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 D, built 1961 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N9114W · no longer on the register · serial 18253219
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the commercial skydiving operation was completing the 8th flight of the day. During the jump run, the pilot had partial carburetor heat applied. The skydivers egressed from the airplane, and the pilot initiated the descent to land back at the airport by reducing the power and applying full carburetor heat. She maneuvered the airplane onto the final approach and applied full power with no response from the engine. The pilot then manipulated the throttle to no avail and performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane came to rest inverted and was recovered a week later from the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident engine run was performed with no anomalies noted. During the recovery operation, 1 quart of fuel was recovered from the airplane, and both fuel tanks were found intact. On the airplane make and model, it is possible for fuel to drain out through the left-wing fuel tank vent tube if the airplane is sitting inverted for a period of time. A review of meteorological data showed that at the time of the accident, the airplane was likely operating in conditions conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing for glide power settings; however, the pilot reported using carburetor heat during the descent. The airframe manufacturer has published guidance stating that with certain flight maneuvers, such as prolonged uncoordinated flight or sideslips, the fuel may move away from the fuel tank supply outlet and if the outlet becomes uncovered, fuel flow to the engine may be interrupted and a temporary loss of engine power may result. Based on the available evidence, it could not be determined what caused the total loss of engine power.
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 enroute (descent)
- Attempted remediation/recovery during enroute (descent)
- Off-field or emergency landing during enroute (descent)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 576 hours in all; 95 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 518 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 3, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,521.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 16, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 2,990 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors O-470-R (piston); 396 hours total
- Operator: Paper Plane LLC
The flight
- Departed from: AJZ Delta CO at 5:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from KAJZ, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAJZ 031755Z AUTO 7SM CLR 25/12 A3016 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE T02530122 10253 20155 PWINO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on February 24, 2023. 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, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | N9114W Engine Test Run - NTSB Video Footage (.Mov File) | MOV file | Download |
| 4 | Additional Documents | PDF, 25 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Party Member Form - Textron Aviation | 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 N9114W 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.