Bird CK accident near Enterprise, Oregon, September 11, 2020
On September 11, 2020 at about 2:00 am local time, a 1931 Bird CK, registered N933V, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Enterprise, Oregon (Enterprise Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 2020 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Enterprise, Oregon · Enterprise Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bird CK, built 1931 · all CKs on the register
- Registration
- N933V · registry record · serial 4018
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, before landing, the throttle was increased to maintain altitude to correct his position over the runway, however, the engine sputtered and the airplane lost altitude and the main landing gear touched the runway. Being angled on the runway, the pilot applied full power to go-around and change direction away from hangars. The pilot expected to climb; however, the airplane would not maintain altitude or climb. The engine was running, but it would not develop enough power to get positive response on the flight controls. The pilot subsequently landed in a field to the right side of the runway. The landing gear collapsed, and both the upper and lower wings were substantially damaged. While securing the airplane, the pilot reported that the carburetor heat was in the on position during the landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane 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
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 868 hours in all; 43 in this make and model; 39 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 682 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 15, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 15, 2019; 23.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,335 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W-670-6A-3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Runway 30, 2,850 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 78°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 6:30 pm, -1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos (Courtesy of Owner) | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.