# NTSB CHI03LA007: Madewell EAA-Biplane-P, N21WL, Forest Lake, MN, October 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 2002, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Forest Lake, MN - Coordinates: 45.269912, -92.980987 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2699&lon=-92.9810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55870/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA007 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A related factor was the swampy terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a swamp after a loss of engine power. The pilot reported he had been practicing power on and power off stalls north of the airport prior to returning to the airport. He over flew the airport about 1,575 feet agl to check for two aircraft that were in the traffic pattern. When he was southwest of the approach end of runway 13, he lost power to the engine and immediately turned right to land on runway 13. The pilot reported that he could not make the runway and executed a forced landing to a swamp. An inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact anomalies. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 2002, at 1730 central daylight time, an amateur built Madewell EAA-Biplane-P, N21WL, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a swamp after a loss of engine power. The private pilot was not injured. The Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Forest Lake Airport (25D), Forest Lake, Minnesota, at 1705 on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he had been practicing power on and power off stalls north of the airport. He returned to 25D and flew over the airport at 2,500 feet msl (1,575 feet agl) to check for two aircraft that were in the traffic pattern. He reported that when he was southwest of the approach end of runway 13 (2,650 feet by 150 feet, turf), he lost power to the engine and immediately turned right to land on runway 13. The pilot reported that he could not make the runway and executed a forced landing to a swamp. The pilot reported that he had switched the fuel selector from the 9 gallon fuel tank to the 12 gallon fuel tank about 7 miles prior to the loss of engine power. The pilot reported that during his preflight inspection, he did not sump the tanks individually for contamination, but he did sump the fuel scupper drain once to check for contamination. He reported that he had drained and fueled the 12 gallon tank with about 6 gallons of 100 LL Avgas twice about 2 weeks earlier when he purchased the airplane. He reported he had topped off the 12 gallon tank with 100 LL Avgas about two times since purchasing the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector conducted a post-accident examination of the airplane. He reported the engine exhibited continuity and thumb compression. He reported, "The fuel line was wrapped with foam and aluminum speed tape to prevent vapor lock." The inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21WL-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 002JM, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Madewell EAA-Biplane-P - Registry model: [Madewell EAA BIPLANE-P](https://openairdocs.org/model/madewell-eaa-biplane-p) (registry code 33602TH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 002JM - Engines: Lycoming O-290-G 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Christopher Erickson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2002 - Departed: 25D, Forest Lake, MN - Airport: 25D, Forest Lake ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 8, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 188 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Observed at: OEO, 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 20021009028619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021009028619A), Oct 9, 2002: Amtr EAABIPLANEP, Forest Lake, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) While on approach to runway 13 a 2650X150FT grass strip at Forest Lake, MN, the engine lost all power. The pilot stated he made several attempts to… 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.