# NTSB CEN14LA309: Schumacher Challenger II, N441MS, St. Joesph, IL, June 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 2014, 19:35 local (Jun 21, 2014, 00:35 UTC) - Place: St. Joesph, IL - Coordinates: 40.079166, -88.05722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0792&lon=-88.0572&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 21, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89513 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89513/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89513 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA309 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to a lack of lubrication following the in-flight failure of the mechanical oil injection pump. Contributing to the accident was the temporary obscuration of the pilot's forward visibility due to sun glare during the forced landing, which resulted in a collision with power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05903XS), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=05903XS), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=05903XS), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05903XS), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05903XS), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05903XS), [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: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903XS), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903XS), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during cruise flight about 1,200 ft mean sea level, the engine experienced a sudden and total loss of power. He was unsuccessful in reestablishing engine power and selected a nearby soybean field for a forced landing. The pilot stated that, as he maneuvered the airplane toward the field, the setting sun temporarily obstructed his forward visibility. The airplane subsequently collided with power lines and then entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain. A postaccident engine examination revealed scoring and a lack of proper oil lubrication of the forward cylinder piston adjacent to the intake and exhaust ports. The rear cylinder piston did not exhibit scoring; however, evidence of oil starvation was observed. Further examination of the oil system revealed that the mechanical oil injection pump had seized within its housing. Additionally, the oil pump nylon drive-coupling had fractured. The oil pump was a nonserviceable component that prevented further disassembly. The pilot reported that the experimental engine was not originally equipped with a mechanical oil injection pump and that he had the engine modified with the oil pump about 50 hours before the accident. The total loss of engine power during the accident flight was due to a cylinder seizure, which resulted from a lack of lubrication following the failure of the mechanical oil injection pump. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2014, about 1935 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Schumacher model Challenger II airplane, N441MS, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines and terrain during a forced landing near St. Joseph, Illinois. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed at 1900 from the pilot's private airstrip near Sidney, Illinois.The pilot reported that during cruise flight, about 1,200 feet mean sea level, the engine experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power. He was unsuccessful in reestablishing engine power and selected a nearby soybean field for a forced landing. The pilot stated that as he maneuvered the airplane toward the selected field, the setting sun temporarily obstructed his forward visibility and the airplane collided with power lines. He reported that following the collision with the power lines, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain with the left wing down. The airplane spun 180 degrees before coming to a stop in an upright attitude. The pilot and passenger unbuckled their seat restraints and exited the airplane uninjured. A postaccident examination of the airplane and its engine was performed by an aviation mechanic. The single fuel tank contained fuel and no anomalies were noted with its vented fuel cap. The engine produced suction/compression at each cylinder in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. Inspection of the spark plugs revealed features consistent with normal engine operation. Mechanical continuity was established between the cockpit engine controls and their respective engine components. An operational test run of the engine established the engine was capable of producing power. Following the operational test run, the intake and exhaust manifolds were removed to examine the pistons. The forward cylinder piston exhibited scoring and a lack of proper oil lubrication adjacent to the intake and exhaust ports. The rear cylinder piston did not exhibit scoring; however, evidence of oil starvation was observed. Further examination of the oil system revealed that the mechanical oil injection pump had seized within its housing. Additionally, the oil pump nylon drive-coupling had fractured. The oil pump was a non-serviceable component that prevented further disassembly. The pilot reported that the experimental engine, a Rotax model 503DIDC, was not originally equipped with a mechanical oil injection pump and that he had it modified with the oil pump about 50 hours before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N441MS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N441MS), registered now, S/N CH2-1200-CW-2039, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHUMACHER CHALLENGER II - Registry model: [Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/schumacher-michael-challenger-ii) (registry code 05903XS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH2-1200-CW-2039 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 430 - Engines: ROTAX 503 DCDI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 2, 2014 - Departed: PVT, Sidney, IL - Destination: PVT, Sidney, IL - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 21, 2012; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 924 total, 585 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: CMI, 12 nm away ## 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 20140620009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140620009219A), Jun 20, 2014: Schumacher Michael CHALLENGER II, St. Joseph, IL, Substantial damage. The engine quit during cruise flight. During an off airport landing in an open soy bean field, the pilot was momentairly blinded by the sun and the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89513. 431 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Engine Inspection Report (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Inspection%20Report-Master.PDF - Email Correspondence Concerning Additional Engine Examination (item 3, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434529&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Correspondence%20Concerning%20Additional%20Engine%20Examination-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.