Palen Nieuport 11 accident near Rhinebeck, New York, August 13, 2005
On August 13, 2005 at about 7:20 pm local time, a Palen Nieuport 11, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N9163A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rhinebeck, New York (Old Rhinebeck airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2005 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Rhinebeck, New York · Old Rhinebeck · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Palen Nieuport 11, amateur-built
- Registration
- N9163A · registry record · serial 1915-78
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The homebuilt replica of a 1915 French warplane experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from a 2,200-foot-long, runway. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field that was located about 150 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane was equipped with a Le Rhone 80-horsepower rotary engine. Examination of the airplane did not revel any evidence of a catastrophic engine failure. In addition, fuel samples taken from the engine did not reveal any evidence of contamination. According to maintenance records, the airplane's most recent condition inspection was performed about 1 month prior to the accident. The airplane had been operated for about 1 hour, during the 10 months prior to 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
Pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 115 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 1, 2005; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,060 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Le Rhone C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NY94 Rhinebeck NY at 7:20 pm
- Destination: NY94 Rhinebeck NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway S, 2,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from POU, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.