Amateur-built RV6 accident near Aurora, Colorado, July 3, 2022
On July 3, 2022 at about 1:35 pm local time, a 2002 amateur-built RV6, registered N184CB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Aurora, Colorado (Colorado Air And Space Port airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to foreign object debris blockage of engine air intake. The source of the debris 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
- July 3, 2022 · about 1:35 pm local time
- Place
- Aurora, Colorado · Colorado Air And Space Port · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6 UNDESIGNAT, built 2002
- Registration
- N184CB · no longer on the register · serial 25454
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the experimental airplane reported that the engine lost total power shortly after takeoff. The pilot decided to perform a forced landing straight ahead to a flat cornfield which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and lower fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a piece of black plastic material lodged in the carburetor throttle body. The foreign object debris (FOD) was similar to the material used with common trash bags. The pilot reported that he did not know where the FOD may have originated. It is likely that the FOD blocked the engine’s air intake, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. The airplane’s carburetor heat valve provided heated air forward of the air filter; thus, the carburetor heat air flow did not bypass the air filter. While is it possible that the FOD may have been left in the carburetor heat system during previous maintenance work about 60 flight hours before the accident, the source of the FOD and when it was introduced could not be determined based on the available evidence. It is likely that the FOD, which was lodged in the carburetor throttle body, blocked air intake for the engine, which resulted in a 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
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Air intake › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Debris/dirt/foreign object › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Debris/dirt/foreign object › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,904 hours in all; 1,346 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 1,904 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 9, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,330.1 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 30, 2022; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aero Sport Power Ltd O-360-A1A (piston); 1,330 hours total
The flight
- Destination: ANK Salida CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 8,002 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 16,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 am from KDEN, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDEN 031253Z 23007KT 10SM FEW160 SCT220 21/09 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP084 T02110089
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on November 29, 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB N184CB Airframe and Engine Examination Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Fuel Receipt, Maintenance Records, and Pilot's Logbook | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Wreckage Release Form | 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.
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.