Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B-85C accident near Grants, New Mexico, August 27, 1995
On August 27, 1995 at about 10:13 pm local time, a Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B-85C, registered N89V, was destroyed in an accident near Grants, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 1995 · about 10:13 pm local time
- Place
- Grants, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B-85C
- Registration
- N89V · no longer on the register · serial 288
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the engine appeared to be operating normally during startup, taxi, and the takeoff roll. After a gradual climb was initiated, and at approximately 80 mph, the engine began to run rough and lose rpm. Unable to stay airborne, the pilot executed a forced landing to a rough/uneven field. Upon ground contact, the airplane cartwheeled, resulting in structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The aircraft's total takeoff weight was estimated to be 1,584 pounds, which was 234 pounds over the maximum takeoff weight of 1,350 pounds. Additionally, the calculated density altitude at the time was approximately 9,000 feet. Examination and teardown of the engine did not reveal any anomalies or defects.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,630 hours in all; 1,100 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 1,530 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 1995
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GNT at 10:10 pm
- Destination: INW Winslow AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from GNT, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.