Pilot Debrief

Glasair III near Ford Heights, IL — 2020-10-20

Final reportCEN21FA024
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Date
2020-10-20
Location
Ford Heights, IL, USA
Aircraft
Glasair III
Registration
N713MJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was on a local flight and his flight track indicated he was returning to his departure airport when the accident occurred. A witness reported seeing the airplane at a low altitude “dragging” a light pole across the highway. The airplane then impacted the highway and came to rest in a wooded area alongside the road. Another witness reported that it sounded like the engine lost power and momentarily regained power before losing it again. The wing fuel tanks were breached in the accident, and the amount of fuel on board could not be determined. The two-bladed, constant speed propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade had minimal damage, the second blade’s tip was bent back, starting about mid-span, and the leading edge was rough; this damage was consistent with the propeller not rotating at the time of impact. The engine was equipped with an electric ignition system and was unable to be field tested. The engine examination did not identify any preimpact anomalies that would affect engine operation. The witness statement and signatures on the propeller are consistent with a loss of engine power; however, a reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence. Reviewed records show that ketamine was administered to the pilot after the crash. Thus, the postmortem toxicology results provide no evidence of any pre-crash use of potentially impairing substances by the pilot.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low flight near obstacles.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

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