Morrison E-RACER N345JM accident, Sugar Grove, IL, Sep 12, 2000 · NTSB CHI00LA298

Probable cause

the owner/builder's inadequate modification to the engine air intake system and the inadvertent engine shutdown. Factors included the low air pressure of the air intake system and the excessive fuel flow to the manifold.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerApproach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

Engine shutdown - inadvertentCause

Acft/equip,inadequate designOwner/builderCause

Fuel system - excessive flow/outputFactor

Induction air control,intake manifold - pressure too lowFactor

Forced landingEmergency descent/landing

On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll

Analysis

The pilot reported he was performing a test flight to test the cylinder head cooling ducts. On the left base to final approach to runway 33 at ARR, the airplane had a total loss of power. The pilot reported, "... because of altitude and time, a emergency landing was made to a bean field 1/2 to 1/4 mile from RW 33." The pilot reported he had extended the turn to base due to traffic in the landing pattern. The pilot reported that he had modified the airplane with a relief pressure valve in the air intake so that supercharged air could be vented prior to the fuel servo when the engine was at idle. The pilot reported that on the accident flight the engine was flooded with fuel when the throttle was pulled back to idle. The engine quit and a forced landing was executed.

Factual narrative

On September 12, 2000, at 1730 central daylight time, an experimental Morrison E-Racer, N345JM, was substantially damaged when it landed in a bean field near Sugar Grove, Illinois, after it had experienced a loss of power. The private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR), Aurora, Illinois, at 1655 on a local test flight. The airplane was on a left base to runway 33 when it experienced a loss of power. An emergency landing was made to a bean field about 1/2 mile south of the airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported he was performing a test flight to test the cylinder head cooling ducts. On the left base to final approach to runway 33 at ARR, the airplane had a total loss of power. The pilot reported, "... because of altitude and time, a emergency landing was made to a bean field 1/2 to 1/4 mile from RW 33." The pilot reported he had extended the turn to base due to traffic in the landing pattern.

The pilot reported that he had modified the airplane with a relief pressure valve in the air intake so that supercharged air could be vented prior to the fuel servo when the engine was at idle. The pilot reported that on the accident flight the engine was flooded with fuel when the throttle was pulled back to idle. The engine quit and a forced landing was executed.

Aircraft

Registration: N345JM
Reported as: Morrison E-RACER
Category: Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number: 113
Engine: Lycoming IO-540, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Part 91
Registered owner: John K. Morrison
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection: Annual · May 14, 2000
Departed: ARR
Airport: ARR · Aurora Municipal Airport, runway 33, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

N345JMRegistration cancelled Jul 30, 2008 · Morrison John K E RACERS/N 113 Airframe modelMorrison John K E RACER Engine modelAmateur-built UNKNOWN ENG

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 62
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 191 total · 24 in this make and model · 67 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 360° at 3 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 156 °F, dew point 111 °F
Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Observed at: ARR

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20000912042789AAmtr Eracer · Chicago/Aurora, IL(-23) The aircraft was on a maintenance test flight for the installation of a supercharger. The aircraft lost power while on a left base to runway 33. It landed in a bean field, short of the runway. The aircraft lost its right wing during impact.Sep 12, 2000 · N345JM · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N345JM · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB CHI08LA169Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAurora, ILAn undetermined failure in the high-pressure fuel system, and the subsequent loss of engine power and in-flight fire. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's restricted visibility due to the smoke in the cockpit, failure of the aileron control during…Jun 21, 2008 · Destroyed