# NTSB CHI01LA255: Beech A36, N136GR, Sugar Grove, IL, August 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2001, 11:31 local (16:31 UTC) - Place: Sugar Grove, IL - Coordinates: 41.759963, -88.449729 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7600&lon=-88.4497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52921/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA255 ## Probable cause the inadequate maintenance inspection and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot mechanic. The fuel system leak was a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - fuel system,line - leak (contributing factor) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot/mechanic performed a forced landing on a bean field after a total loss of engine power during departure from the airport. The pilot/mechanic reported that he was performing a maintenance test flight when the engine quit at approximately 500 feet agl. He reported that the no fuel leaks were noted during a ground test run and no anomalies were noted during a run up prior to departure. The main fuel line to the flow divider was reported to have backed off. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2001, at 1131 central daylight time, a Beech A36, N136GR, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a bean field near Sugar Grove, Illinois. The pilot reported a total loss of engine power during climb from runway 18 (3,199 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the Aurora Municipal Airport, Sugar Grove, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 maintenance test flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from the Aurora Municipal Airport, Aurora, Illinois at 1129. The pilot/mechanic reported that the airplane had received an annual inspection. A ground test run was performed prior to the maintenance test flight with no fuel leaks noted. He reported that during a postaccident inspection of the airplane, a fuel line loosened but did not come completely off the fitting. He also stated that there was evidence of a small fire in the engine compartment area. The pilot reported in a written statement, "Ground run up after annual [inspection] ok. No leakage noted. Run up before flight ok. Full power attained at takeoff. [Approximately] 500 [feet] engine quit. Changed fuel tanks [and] turned on fuel pump. Engine restarted [and] quit after [approximately] 5 [seconds]. Put down landing gear and landed straight ahead in a bean field. Beans collapsed nosegear [and] damaged wings [and] firewall. No injuries. Found main fuel line to flow divider had backed off about 3-4 turns. Fuel stain evident." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N136GR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N136GR), registered now, S/N E2115, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E2115 - Airframe hours: 3400 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: Luminair Aviation Services - Registered owner: Star Fleet Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2001, 0 hours before - Departed: ARR, Aurora, IL - Airport: ARR, Aurora Municipal Airport, runway 18, 3,199 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 3, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 625 total, 25 in this make and model, 585 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010801032209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010801032209A), Aug 1, 2001: Beech A36, Sugargrove, IL, No damage. (-23) On August 1, 2001, Beech a 36, N136GR had departed aurora airport in sugar grove, IL. The pilot, Mr. Richard watkins stated that shortly after takeoff,… 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.