# NTSB CEN10CA246: Carlesimo Glasair III T, N713MJ, Lynwood, IL, May 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2010, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Lynwood, IL - Coordinates: 41.534721, -87.529441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5347&lon=-87.5294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75974/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75974 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA246 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to follow the pre-landing checklist and verifying the position of the fuel selector. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05628L2), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05628L2), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05628L2), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05628L2), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05628L2), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05628L2), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05628L2), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he lost engine power while on base leg of the landing pattern and performed an off-airport landing on a farm field. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it touched down on the field's soft dirt. The airplane's kit manufacturer's "suggested pre-landing check list" included, "Fuel boost pump on. Check fuel quantity. Select proper tank. Verify that handle engages detent. ... NOTE We recommend completing the pre-landing check list before entering the pattern so that the pilots attention can be directed outside the airplane to clear for traffic while in the pattern." The pilot's accident report did not list any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "Recommend that pilot check fuel tank selection and fuel content at start of each phase of flight." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he lost engine power while on base leg of the landing pattern and performed an off-airport landing on a farm field. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it touched down on the field's soft dirt. The pilot's accident report did not list any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "Recommend that pilot check fuel tank selection and fuel content at start of each phase of flight." The airplane's kit manufacturer's "suggested pre-landing check list" included, "Fuel boost pump on. Check fuel quantity. Select proper tank. Verify that handle engages detent. ... NOTE We recommend completing the pre-landing check list before entering the pattern so that the pilots attention can be directed outside the airplane to clear for traffic while in the pattern." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N713MJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N713MJ-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 2425, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CARLESIMO GLASAIR III T - Registry model: [Carlesimo Luigi GLASAIR III T](https://openairdocs.org/model/carlesimo-luigi-glasair-iii-t) (registry code 05628L2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2425 - Airframe hours: 92.5 - Engines: Rolls Royce B17-250 C20 420 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 22, 2010 - Departed: IGQ, Lansing, IL - Destination: IGQ, Lansing, IL - Airport: IGQ, Lansing Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 793 total, 2 in this make and model, 708 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: IGQ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100507033579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100507033579A), May 7, 2010: Carlesimo L GLASAIR III, Lansing, IL, Substantial damage. On may 7, 2010, N713MJ, a glasair was operating in the traffic pattern at kigq when the engine quit. The aircraft had to land in a cornfield near the airport.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75974. 755 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 556 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airplane Kit Manufacturer's Suggested POH excerpts (item 2, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Kit%20Manufacturer%27s%20Suggested%20POH%20excerpts-Master.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.