Amateur-built DH 82A accident near Rhinebeck, New York, September 22, 2013
On September 22, 2013 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1940 amateur-built DH 82A, registered N9410, was substantially damaged in an accident during emergency descent near Rhinebeck, New York (Old Rhinebeck 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, which resulted in a forced landing into trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2013 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rhinebeck, New York · Old Rhinebeck Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DH 82A, built 1940
- Registration
- N9410 · registry record · serial DE-941
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he performed an engine run-up before takeoff and checked the magnetos twice at different rpm settings and noted no discrepancies. He applied full power during takeoff and noted that the engine was developing full power. At the departure end of the runway and after the pilot had reduced power, the engine began to backfire and lose power. He immediately turned the airplane for a downwind landing on the runway, and the engine quit. After the airplane cleared trees, he slipped the airplane to lose altitude but realized that he was running out of available runway. He then intentionally maneuvered left and collided with trees. The engine was run briefly postaccident, and no discrepancies were noted. A prolonged engine run at full power could not be performed due to damage to the engine mount. No discrepancies were noted with the air induction, ignition, or fuel system. Although the weather conditions were favorable for serious icing at glide power, the pilot reported that the engine developed full power during the takeoff, so it is unlikely that carburetor icing caused the loss of engine power. The reason for the total loss of engine power 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 initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,198 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 2,198 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,164 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 13, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,825 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Dehav Eng GIPSY MAJOR (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NY94 Rhinebeck NY at 6:29 pm
- Destination: NY94 Rhinebeck NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway S, 2,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from POU, 21 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.
Other NTSB records under N9410 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA13LA429.