Amateur-built Savage-Cozy accident near Aurora, Oregon, September 12, 2010
On September 12, 2010, a amateur-built Savage-Cozy, registered N9699, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Aurora, Oregon (Aurora State 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
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane following a loss of engine power in the traffic pattern; the cause of the loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2010
- Place
- Aurora, Oregon · Aurora State Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Savage-Cozy
- Registration
- N9699 · no longer on the register · serial CC1017
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a witness, while the airplane was in the traffic pattern, he heard "strange noises" emanating from the engine. A plot from an onboard global positioning system unit indicated that the airplane had completed one takeoff and landing, and a second orbit of the traffic pattern had occurred. The track then showed the airplane turn back toward the middle of the runway at a 45-degree angle before the airplane reached the downwind leg. The track showed the airplane then turn right to parallel the runway. Near the end of the runway, the airplane turned left and crashed. Total elapsed time was about 11 minutes. The pilot was likely attempting to land on a taxiway due to the loss of engine power described by the witness; however, the airplane struck the top of a hangar and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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 approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Residence/building › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 145 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 53 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: UAO Aurora OR
- Destination: UAO Aurora OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
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.