# NTSB CHI01LA192: Melenyk Genesis, N370E, Howell, MI, June 30, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 2001, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Howell, MI - Coordinates: 42.600612, -83.929466 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6006&lon=-83.9295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52617/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA192 ## Probable cause the in-flight planning/decision by the pilot. Contributing factors were the undetermined loss of engine power, the quartering tailwind and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The experimental amateur built airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a wheat field following a loss of engine power. A quartering tailwind prevailed at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 2001, at 0930 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built Melenyk Genesis, N370E, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a wheat field following a loss of engine power near Howell, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received no injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The local flight originated from the Livingston County Airport, Howell, Michigan at 0900. The pilot reported in a written statement, "...I departed Livingston County Airport (OZW) for a local pleasure flight in my kit built Genesis aircraft. On board was one [passenger], my son. Preflight inspection was routine with nothing appearing abnormal. The fuel [tank] was filled prior to flight to about a half gallon short of full. The engine was started run-up and then as my custom shut down and 2nd brief inspection performed." "Departure from runway 31 was normal and [climb]-out uneventful. The flight was local not more than 10 to 12 miles from the airport any anytime. At 35 minutes in the flight about 5 mile Southwest of the airport, engine went from cruise power to substantially less power eventually dropping to idle. Adjustment to the throttle, i.e. open and closure and open as well as cycling the ignition failed to change the engine" "The flight path was back toward the home airport OZW. At the power weaken it became apparent that I would not be able to make it back to the airport. I radioed my circumstances and position to other aircraft in the area and looked for alternative landing sites. At about 500 feet agl I chose a nearby wheat field that was a straight flight. As I clear the roadways and powerless, I set-up for a forced landing in the field being careful to maintain airspeed so as not to stall the plane. As the plane skidded to a stop, it nosed over and ended on [its] back. I released my seat my seat belt, kicked the door out, released my son's seatbelt and we both [exited] the plane. I shut off the fuel, gathered items and [departed] the crash site. We both walked out under [our] own power. My son was later taken to an emergency room for a precautionary exam because of a bump on his head. Emergency room found nothing of consequences." "Damage was done to the wheat crop and the airplane remained intact. The point [of] touchdown was on dirt in a wheat field about 2 weeks from harvest." Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed no anomalies. The FAA also reported that the landing direction was to the northeast. At 0915, winds at OZW were recorded to be from 270 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N370E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N370E-2001-11-29), registration cancelled 2001-11-29, S/N 024, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Melenyk Genesis - Registry model: [Melenyk Glenn R GENESIS](https://openairdocs.org/model/melenyk-glenn-r-genesis) (registry code 05628FA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 024 - Airframe hours: 165 - Engines: Rotax 618ULDCDI 74 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glenn Melenyk - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 26, 2000, 14 hours before - Departed: OZW, Howell, MI - Airport: OZW, Livingston County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 17, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 346 total, 165 in this make and model, 282 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OZW, 1 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 20010630020239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010630020239A), Jun 30, 2001: Amtr GENESIS, Howell, MI, No damage. (.19) On June 30, 2001, at 0930 eastern daylight time, a melenyk Genesis, N370E, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing following a total loss… 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.