# NTSB CHI02LA274: Brooks Sonerai 2L, N356RB, Canton, IL, September 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2002, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Canton, IL - Coordinates: 40.569168, -90.074996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5692&lon=-90.0750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55660/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA274 ## Probable cause The partial failure of the ignition system, the induction air leak at the carburetor mounting plate, and the pilot's inadvertant stall during the forced landing. Contributing factors were the crack in the electronic ignition coil, and the improper installation of the carbuetor resulting in an induction air leak. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system - failure,partial (cause) - ignition system,ignition coil - cracked (contributing factor) - induction air ducting - leak (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/builder (contributing factor) - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis During a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power, the pilot inadvertantly stalled on short final and the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that immediately after takeoff, the engine began to "sputter and lose r.p.m.'s". The pilot attempted to return to the airport, but was unable to maintain altitude and elected to execute a forced landing into a bean field approximately 200 feet east of the runway. The pilot reported installing a new carburetor which required an adapter to properly mate to the existing intake manifold. This was the first flight following installation. He reported that a full static run-up had been completed prior to takeoff and that two static run-ups were conducted in the days prior to the accident. A post-accident examination revealed that the flanges on the aircraft engine intake manifold and the carburetor mounting flange did not seal completely, causing an induction air leak at the carburetor mounting flange. In addition, one coil on the electronic ignition was found to be cracked and failed to produce a spark at its associated spark plugs. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2002, at 1010 central daylight time, an amateur-built Brooks Sonerai 2L, N356RB, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power immediately after takeoff. The airplane had just departed runway 18 (3,899 feet x 75 feet, asphalt) at the Ingersoll Airport (CTK), Canton, Illinois, with the intention of remaining within the local traffic pattern. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. In his written statement, the pilot noted that shortly after takeoff, approximately 100 feet agl, "the engine began to sputter and lose r.p.m.'s." He reported that he was not able to return to the airport due to the reduction in power available. He selected a bean field, and set up for a forced landing. He stated "I apparently stalled the a/c in an almost wings level condition at maybe 25' a.g.l." The aircraft impacted the bean field, "collapsed the gear, bounced in the air and went over on its tail", according to the pilot. The pilot reported that he had installed a new carburetor in the days prior to the accident. "The new carb required that I have an adapter piece fabricated to mate to the existing intake manifold flange - which I did." The pilot goes on to state that he had made two static run-ups with no problems noted. In addition, he reported that he had conducted a full static run-up shortly before takeoff on the accident flight. A post-accident examination revealed that the mounting flanges of the aircraft engine intake manifold and the carburetor mounting flange did not seal completely. In addition, one coil on the electronic ignition was found to be cracked and failed to produce a spark at its associated spark plugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N356RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N356RB-2012-07-24), registration cancelled 2012-07-24, S/N 1493 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Brooks Sonerai 2L - Registry model: [Brooks Robert C SONERAI 2L](https://openairdocs.org/model/brooks-robert-c-sonerai-2l) (registry code 056072F) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1493 - Airframe hours: 23 - Engines: Volkswagen 1834 c.c. 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 27, 2002, 8 hours before - Departed: CTK, Canton, IL - Airport: CTK, Ingersoll ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 1, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,660 total, 4 in this make and model, 3,631 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PIA, 18 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 20020906038249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020906038249A), Sep 6, 2002: Amtr SONERAI2L, Canton, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) N356RB departed runway 18 at Canton, Illinois. Shortly after take off, the engine reportedly began running rough and pilot elected to attempt a landing… 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.