# NTSB CEN25LA309: Vans RV4, N595BS, Elgin, IL, August 7, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: August 6, 2025, 19:25 local (Aug 7, 2025, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Elgin, IL
- Coordinates: 42.016955, -88.307961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0170&lon=-88.3080&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA - Chicago FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 200735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA309
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA309

## Preliminary report

On August 6, 2025, about 1925 central daylight time, a Vans RV4 airplane, N595BS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Elgin, Illinois. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that during cruise flight at 1,000 ft above ground level, he noticed an increase in electrical voltage. He turned the airplane toward the departure airport and noted the voltage indicated 20 volts before the entire instrument panel lost power, and then the engine lost power. He also noticed a small smoke plume from behind the instrument panel. The pilot made a forced landing to a golf course during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. The engine was equipped with two E-Mag electronic ignition systems. Both magnetos were retained for further examination. Devices capable of recording data were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for further analysis. The airplane was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) (defining event); cases with it: [Switzer Robert W RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=05608BU), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Switzer Robert W RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05608BU), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Switzer Robert W RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05608BU), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Switzer Robert W RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05608BU), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N595BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N595BS), registered now, S/N 3, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANS RV4
- Registry model: [Switzer Robert W RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/switzer-robert-w-rv-4) (registry code 056109D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 852.3
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Noll Jason Michael
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Condition, March 22, 2025
- Departed: DPA, Dupage, IL
- Destination: 82IS, Huntley, IL
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC)
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: KDPA, 8 nm away
- METAR: KDPA 062352Z 19005KT 10SM FEW055 27/19 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP212 T02720189 10300 20272 56006

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.

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