Amateur-built COZY MARK IV accident near Tucson, Arizona, March 30, 2022
On March 30, 2022 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 2016 amateur-built COZY MARK IV, registered N294MV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Tucson, Arizona (Ryan Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power during an approach due to clogged fuel filters, which resulted from an epoxide sealant used in manufacture of the airplane deteriorating and clogging the fuel filter.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 30, 2022 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona · Ryan Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built COZY MARK IV, built 2016
- Registration
- N294MV · no longer on the register · serial 0394
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a local flight, the pilot was maneuvering the amateur-built experimental airplane to final approach in the traffic pattern when the engine lost total power. The pilot noticed that the propeller was not windmilling and attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees about 1,000 ft short of the runway threshold and sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. However, examination of the fuel system revealed a clogged fuel filter on the left fuel line and a partially clogged fuel filter on the right fuel line. The pilot stated that he had the left fuel tank selected at the time of the accident. Laboratory spectrum analysis determined the material clogging the fuel filters was consistent with an epoxide used in resins and sealants. Although the spectrum of the clogging material did not match that of an uncured sample of the sealant used during manufacture of the airplane, this was likely due to the cured state of the clogging material. The epoxide likely deteriorated, with the fragments becoming loose and clogging the fuel filters.
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
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel filter › strainer › Capability exceeded
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel storage › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,539.6 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 13.2 in the last 90 days; 8.9 in the last 30 days; 1,539.6 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 4, 2020
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 32 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 17, 2021
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1A (piston); 2,234 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AVO Marana AZ at 1:18 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24R, 4,900 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 1:34 pm from KRYN
Weather report (METAR): KRYN 302034Z 28010KT 10SM CLR 22/01 A2997 RMK ACFT MSHP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on January 31, 2024. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Airframe and Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Laboratory Report on Unknown Material in Fuel Filter | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N294MV the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.