# NTSB CHI02LA254: Grumman C-1A, N189G, Roseville, IL, August 18, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2002, 17:34 local (22:34 UTC) - Place: Roseville, IL - Coordinates: 40.740001, -90.669998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7400&lon=-90.6700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55543/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA254 ## Probable cause The failure and the resulting separation of the engine cylinder, which severed both electrical propeller control systems on the affected engine. A factor to the accident was the cornfield. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - failure (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other - propeller system/accessories,electric pitch ctl - loss,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis While in cruise flight, the number one cylinder separated from the right engine, resulting in a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to feather the right propeller because both electrical propeller control systems were compromised when the cylinder separated from the engine. The pilot performed a gear-up forced landing into a cornfield. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2002, at 1734 central daylight time, a Grumman C-1A, N189G, piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Roseville, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The positioning flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed South Bend Regional Airport (SBN) at 1600 eastern standard time. The intended destination was Philip Billard Municipal Airport, Topeka, Kansas. The pilot reported, "While in steady state cruise an attempt was made to adjust the prop rpm. At the same time a 200 rpm swing was noticed on the [number] two prop gauge. This was immediately followed by yawing to the right and engine roughness. An explosion followed and a steady chip light came on." The pilot stated, "Emergency procedures were followed and an attempt to feather the prop was initiated. This proved unsuccessful so the mixture and fuel were shut off along with the fire bottle being discharged." The pilot noted there was an inflight fire due to oil spray onto the hot engine. The pilot reported, "Being unable to secure the prop our rate of [descent] averaged 750 [feet] per minute." The pilot stated a gear-up landing was made into a cornfield. Post accident investigation revealed the number one cylinder had separated from the right engine and both electrical propeller control systems were compromised. The failure of both propeller control systems resulted in the propeller going to a flat-pitch and not being able to be placed into a feathered position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N189G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N189G), registered now, S/N 146044, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman C-1A - Registry model: [Grumman Aircraft ENG C-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-aircraft-eng-c-1a) (registry code 3951014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright R-1820 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1820-series) (registry code 67020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 146044 - Airframe hours: 16459 - Engines: Lycoming R-1820-82B 1475 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming R-1820-82B 1475 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Trader Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, May 2, 2002, 17 hours before - Departed: SBN, South Bend, IN - Destination: TOP, Topeka, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 22, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 4,867 total, 188 in this make and model, 4,619 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: MQB, 13 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 20020818038199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020818038199A), Aug 18, 2002: Gruman C1A, Roseville, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 18, while enroute from an airshow the appropriately rated and certificated pilot in command was at about 2500 feet MSL in normal cruise… 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.