World Aircraft CO WA-3 accident near Shreveport, Louisiana, January 20, 2023
On January 20, 2023 at about 10:34 pm local time, a 2014 World Aircraft CO WA-3, registered N71SN, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Shreveport, Louisiana (Shreveport Downtown airport). It was a personal 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
The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 20, 2023 · about 10:34 pm local time
- Place
- Shreveport, Louisiana · Shreveport Downtown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- World Aircraft CO WA-3, built 2014
- Registration
- N71SN · no longer on the register · serial 3061421101
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
When the experimental airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, abeam the numbers, the engine started to run rough and vibrate. The pilot added power and the engine smoothed out. The pilot ensured the backup electric fuel pump was in the “on” position and turned the airplane to land on the runway. While on short final, the pilot reduced power and received a low rpm warning from his avionics. When he increased the throttle, the engine stopped producing power. A high sink rate developed, and the airplane landed hard on the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was operating in an area conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power settings. The airplane was fueled with 93-octane automotive fuel which could make carburetor icing more likely. The airplane was not equipped with a carburetor temperature gauge or a carburetor heat control, nor were they required.
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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Fuel related during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 365 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 1 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 22, 2022; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 160 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 5,016 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 4:36 pm from KDTN
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KDTN 202236Z 13004KT 10SM OVC090 12/02 A3023 RMK AO2 T01220017=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2024. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Carburetor Icing Documents | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Conversation FAA | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Rotax Service Information SI-04-1994 | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Use of Automobile Gasoline (Mogas) in Aviation | PDF, 28 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.