Amateur-built DR-1 Triplane accident near Geneseo, New York, July 9, 2011
On July 9, 2011 at about 4:15 pm local time, a amateur-built DR-1 Triplane, registered CGDRI, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Geneseo, New York (Geneseo Airport). It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total 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
- July 9, 2011 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Geneseo, New York · Geneseo Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DR-1 Triplane
- Registration
- CGDRI · no longer on the register · serial AM-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was maneuvering the airplane about 600 feet above ground level during an airshow. The engine lost power, the pilot attempted a forced landing in a corn field, and the airplane flipped over. The pilot reported that he completed the engine power-loss checks after the engine lost power. After recovery of the wreckage, impact-related engine damage was repaired and the engine was reinstalled on the airframe. Two test runs were completed, and the engine ran normally during both runs. The airplane was being operated in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power at the time of the accident.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,050 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 1,824 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 5, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 163 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 7, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,843 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs L-4Mb (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Ontario Aviation Historical Society
The flight
- Departed from: D52 Geneseo NY
- Destination: D52 Geneseo NY
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from DSV, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.