# NTSB CHI02LA297: Jonas Nieuport, N678DJ, Creve Coeur, MO, September 28, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 2002, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Creve Coeur, MO - Coordinates: 38.7275, -90.508331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7275&lon=-90.5083&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 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55808/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA297 ## Probable cause The installation of improper carburetor jets resulting in an improper fuel mixture and loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - inadequate (contributing factor) - mixture - improper, owner/builder (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The left main landing gear collapsed during an off airport precautionary landing. The pilot reported that during the flight, the engine cylinder head temperature began to rise and the engine began to lose power. He reported that he did not have enough altitude to return to the airport so he elected to make a precautionary landing in a dirt field. The left main gear dug into the soft dirt during the landing and it collapsed. The airplane came to rest on its left wing and nose. The pilot reported that after the accident, he determined that the carburetor jets were not the proper size for the engine. He reported that this resulted in a lean mixture and the engine running hot. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 2002, at 1100 central daylight time, a Jonas Nieuport, N678DJ, was substantially damaged when it contacted soft terrain during a forced landing in Creve Coeur, Missouri, following a partial loss of engine power. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Creve Coeur Airport, shortly before the accident. The pilot reported that during the flight, the engine cylinder head temperature began to rise and the engine began to lose power. He reported that he did not have enough altitude to return to the airport so he elected to make a precautionary landing in a dirt field. The left main gear dug into the soft dirt during the landing and it collapsed. The airplane came to rest on its left wing and nose. The pilot, who was also the airplane builder, reported the airplane has a total time of 17.6 hours. The engine that was installed in the airplane at the time of the accident was the second engine that had been in the airplane. The pilot stated the first engine experienced high oil temperatures and low oil pressure, so it was replaced. He stated the first engine did not have a cylinder head temperature system installed. The pilot reported that after the accident, he determined that the carburetor jets were not the proper size for the engine. He reported that this resulted in the mixture being too lean and the engine running hot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N678DJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N678DJ), registered now, S/N 735 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jonas Nieuport - Registry model: [Jonas Donald NIEUPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/jonas-donald-nieuport) (registry code 056111J) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 735 - Airframe hours: 17.6 - Engines: Volkswagen 2180cc 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald L. Jonas - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 1H0, Creve Coeur, MO - Airport: 1H0, Creve Couer ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 2, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 16,000 total, 17 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 4 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: SUS, 8 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 20020928030629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020928030629A), Sep 28, 2002: Amtr NIEUPORT17, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Jonas was on downwind when the cylinder head temperature gauge showed the engine was overheating and the engine power was decreasing. Believing he… 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.