# NTSB CHI03LA083: Nabole Steen Skybolt, N75JD, Chanute, KS, March 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 2003, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Chanute, KS - Coordinates: 37.668609, -95.485 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6686&lon=-95.4850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56650 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56650/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA083 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb for undetermined reasons. The pilot's improper decision and unsuitable terrain are contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff. The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power at 200 feet above ground level. The pilot reported he initially turned right 30 degrees after he recognized the partial loss of power so that he could turn back to the runway if necessary. He turned back to the left to make a downwind landing. The airplane landed in a field about 150 yards short of the runway and the landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. He reported that the airspeed was 90 knots at touchdown. The inspection of the engine revealed no anomalies. The field immediately south of the departure runway was a large, flat wheat field. The pilot reported that he "should have went for the field straight ahead of the aircraft." ## Factual narrative On March 15, 2003, at 1200 central standard time, an amateur-built Nabole Steen Skybolt, N75JD, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from runway 18 (4,255 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Chanute Airport (CNU), Chanute, Kansas. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing on a local flight. The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power at 200 feet above ground level and the pilot attempted to return to land at the airport. The airplane landed in a field about 150 yards short of the runway and the landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he initially turned right 30 degrees after he recognized the partial loss of power so that he could turn back to the runway if necessary. He turned back to the left to make a downwind landing on runway 36. The airplane lost altitude during the turn and landed short of the runway. He reported that the airspeed was 90 knots at touchdown. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. The inspection of the engine revealed it had crankshaft and drive train continuity. The inspector examined the engine's mechanical fuel pump, boost pumps, magnetos, timing, and compression and found no anomalies. The carburetor installed on the Franklin Sport 220 engine was a Bendix PS-5C pressure carburetor. The carburetor was functionally tested at B&S Aircraft Parts and Accessories in Wichita, Kansas. The FAA airworthiness inspector reported the test indicated the "carburetor was in excellent condition and capable of functioning properly." The FAA inspector reported that the field south of the departure runway was a large, flat wheat field. The pilot reported that he "should have went for the field straight ahead of the aircraft." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75JD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75JD-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 2A2, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nabole Steen Skybolt - Registry model: [Nalbone STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/nalbone-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565501) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2A2 - Airframe hours: 628 - Engines: Franklin Sport 220 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tevis Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 28, 2002, 25 hours before - Departed: CNU, Chanute, KS - Airport: CNU, Chanute Martin Johnson ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review December 30, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,960 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: CNU ## 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 20030315018979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030315018979A), Mar 15, 2003: Amtr STEENSKYBOLT, Chanute, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 200 ft AGL after takeoff from runway 18 at Chanute, Kansas, on the initial power reduction by the pilot, the engine started running… 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.