What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On July 30, 2007 N3041G departed galt airport, 10C, Woodstock, IL on a part 91 flight. During flight the engine RPM decreased from 2,500 to 1,800 RPM. The private pilot, sel applied carburetor heat. The engine surged and the carburetor heat control was returned to the off position with no improvement in the engine performance. The pilot attempted to return to galt airport. With continuing deteriorating engine performance, an off field landing was attempted on the grounds of the greenwood elementary school. School was not in session. The aircraft struck the school sign and came to rest by that sign. No fire. No injuries.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON JULY 30, 2007 N3041G DEPARTED GALT AIRPORT, 10C, WOODSTOCK, IL ON A PART 91 FLIGHT. DURING FLIGHT THE ENGINE RPM DECREASED FROM 2,500 TO 1,800 RPM. THE PRIVATE PILOT, SEL APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS RETURNED TO THE OFF POSITION WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO GALT AIRPORT. WITH CONTINUING DETERIORATING ENGINE PERFORMANCE, AN OFF FIELD LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SCHOOL WAS NOT IN SESSION. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE SCHOOL SIGN AND CAME TO REST BY THAT SIGN. NO FIRE. NO INJURIES.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.