# NTSB CEN09LA285: Rockwell International 112A, N1348J, Metropolis, IL, May 10, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 2009, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Metropolis, IL - Coordinates: 37.236389, -88.689445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2364&lon=-88.6894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73808/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73808 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA285 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=7630302), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7630302), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rockwell International 112A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=7630302), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Rockwell International 112A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=7630302), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7630302), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7630302), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7630302), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power about 2,100 feet above ground level while in cruise flight. The loss of engine power occurred within 10 minutes of departure. The pilot’s corrective actions were unsuccessful in reestablishing engine power and he ultimately performed a forced landing into a muddy field. During touchdown the landing gear collapsed and separated from the airplane. Before the accident flight the airplane had been serviced with 20 gallons of fuel, evenly distributed between both wing fuel tanks. After the accident the right fuel tank contained about 13 gallons of fuel. The left tank contained no fuel, but the lower inboard portion of the tank had been damaged when the left main landing gear separated from the wing. A postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 2009, at 1450 central daylight time (cdt), a Rockwell International model 112A airplane, N1348J, owned and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an en route loss of engine power near Metropolis, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was seriously injured. His two passengers sustained minor injuries. The local area flight departed Metropolis Municipal Airport (M30), near Metropolis, Illinois, at 1439 cdt. According to the pilot, he added 20 gallons of fuel before departure, which was distributed evenly between the two wing fuel tanks. Before takeoff, he performed a static engine run-up and no anomalies were noted. An uneventful takeoff was completed and the flight climbed to 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl) before the pilot leveled off and reduced engine power to a cruise power setting. A few minutes later, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power over the Shawnee National Forest. The pilot established best glide airspeed and began to look for a suitable off-field landing site. The pilot verified that the fuel selector was correctly positioned, the magneto switch was “on”, and he activated the electric fuel pump. The engine did not respond to the pilot’s corrective actions and he began to setup for an off-field landing. A nearby interstate had conflicting vehicular traffic at the time, so the pilot landed in an adjacent muddy field. During the off-field landing the main landing gear collapsed and separated from the airframe before coming to a stop. The engine firewall, fuselage, and both wings sustained substantial damage during the forced landing. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the engine with the assistance of an airframe and powerplant mechanic. The right fuel tank contained about 13 gallons of fuel. The left tank contained no fuel, but the lower inboard portion of the tank had been damaged during the accident. The fuel line between the mechanical fuel pump and the fuel control unit contained fuel. The mechanical fuel pump created fuel flow as the propeller was turned. The gascolator contained fuel and its filter screen was clear of contaminates. The fuel selector functioned as designed. Internal mechanical continuity of the engine was established as the propeller was turned. Compression and suction were noted on all engine cylinders as the engine crankshaft was rotated. No anomalies were noted with the left and right magnetos, and both provided spark on all leads when rotated by hand. The upper spark plugs exhibited normal wear and burn signatures. The induction air filter was intact and was clean. The engine and propeller cockpit controls exhibited mechanical continuity to their respective components. The magneto switch was removed and no anomalieswere noted during a subsequent bench test. The fuel control unit was removed and functioned as designed during a subsequent bench test. The engine could not be test run because of a bent propeller blade. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1348J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1348J-2010-07-21), registration cancelled 2010-07-21, S/N 348, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell International 112A - Registry model: [Rockwell International 112A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112a) (registry code 7630302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 348 - Airframe hours: 1056 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2009, 1 hours before - Departed: M30, Metropolis, IL - Destination: M30, Metropolis, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total, 57 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: M30, 4 nm away ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73808. 419 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 322 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statements (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Engine Examination Statement (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Statement-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.