# NTSB CHI03LA209: Young Cozy MkIV, N96PJ, Quincy, IL, August 22, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2003, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Quincy, IL - Coordinates: 39.942779, -91.194442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9428&lon=-91.1944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57992/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA209 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing. The pilot reported he was at the downwind-base corner of the traffic pattern when he initiated a power-off approach. He stated the descent rate was quite steep, estimating it as 30 degrees relative to the terrain. As the aircraft approached touchdown, the pilot noted that it slowed faster than anticipated. He stated: "I pulled back on the stick to come [in] at [a smaller] angle and the plane did not respond." The aircraft subsequently hit nose first, breaking the nose wheel. The pilot indicated there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. In addition, he stated that the aircraft performed normally during his previous flights in the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2003, at 1030 central daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Young Cozy MkIV, N96PJ, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 4 (7,098 feet x 150 feet, concrete) at the Quincy Regional Airport (UIN), Quincy, Illinois. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed the DuPage Airport (DPA), West Chicago, Illinois, about 0800. The intended destination was UIN. The pilot reported he was at the downwind-base corner of the traffic pattern, when he reduced the power to idle and initiated a power-off approach. He stated the descent rate was quite steep, estimating it as 30 degrees relative to the terrain. As the aircraft approached touchdown, the pilot noted that it slowed faster than anticipated. He stated: "I pulled back on the stick to come [in] at [a smaller] angle and the plane did not respond." The aircraft subsequently hit nose first, breaking the nose wheel. The pilot indicated there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. In addition, he stated that the aircraft performed normally during his previous flights in the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96PJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96PJ), registered now, S/N 0203, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Young Cozy MkIV - Registry model: [Young G/Young J COZY MKIV](https://openairdocs.org/model/young-g-young-j-cozy-mkiv) (registry code 05602LB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1G6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1g6d) (registry code 42256, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0203 - Airframe hours: 583 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Component Specialty Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 1, 2003, 50 hours before - Departed: DPA, West Chicago, IL - Destination: UIN, Quincy, IL - Airport: UIN, Quincy Muni Baldwin Field, runway 4, 7,098 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 27, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: UIN ## 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 20030822021669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030822021669A), Aug 22, 2003: Amtr COZYMARK4, Quincy, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The appropriately rated and certificated private pilot was making a landing at Quincy airport runway 4 while on a personal pleasure flight from dupage,… ## Other investigations on N96PJ (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW97LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA009), Oct 4, 1996: Young Cozy MK IV (N96PJ), Pueblo, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot/builder's improper design change which resulted in a loss of control following an intentional stall. A factor was an erroneous weight-and-balance calculation. 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.