# NTSB CHI03LA256: Nicoson Antares MA-33, N246AN, Palmyra, WI, August 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2003, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Palmyra, WI - Coordinates: 42.870731, -88.579101 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8707&lon=-88.5791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57708/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA256 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot misjudging the descent rate during the forced landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the desired landing area. A factor to the accident was the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Undershoot, emergency descent/landing - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence during a forced landing, following a reported loss of engine power. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at 1,000 feet above ground level, he increased engine power and then the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot stated he "misjudged the rate of descent and landed short of the pasture and hit a fence." An examination of the engine confirmed continuity throughout the engine. The electrical ignition system was functional and both carburetor bowls contained fuel. The propeller was removed and the engine was prepared for a test run. The engine started and ran at idle power without anomalies. A full throttle engine run was not performed, due to the lack of the propeller, however, the engine did respond to momentary throttle inputs. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2003, at 0745 central daylight time, an amateur-built Nicoson Antares MA-33, N246AN, owned and operated by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence during a forced landing near Palmyra, Wisconsin. The pilot reported a loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was being operated without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed East Troy Municipal Airport, East Troy, Wisconsin, at 0720 and had the intended destination of Palmyra Airport, Palmyra, Wisconsin. According to the pilot's written statement, the "takeoff and climb were normal. While in cruise at [approximately] 1000 [feet above ground level], power was applied to begin climb and the engine quit. During the forced landing I misjudged the rate of descent and landed short of the pasture and hit a fence." An examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed continuity throughout the engine. The electrical ignition system was functional and both carburetor bowls contained fuel. The propeller was removed and the engine was prepared for a test run. The engine was started and ran at idle power without anomalies. A full throttle engine run was not performed, due to the lack of the propeller, however, the engine did respond to momentary throttle inputs. The pilot reported no other mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N246AN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N246AN-2003-12-30), registration cancelled 2003-12-30, S/N NIC001, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nicoson Antares MA-33 - Registry model: [Nicoson Alan E ANTARES MA-33](https://openairdocs.org/model/nicoson-alan-e-antares-ma-33) (registry code 05614MZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: NIC001 - Engines: Rotax 582 Mod 99 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alan E. Nicoson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 57C, East Troy, WI - Destination: 88C, Palmyra, WI - Airport: 88C, Palmyra Municipal Airport, runway 09, 2,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 21, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: BUU, 17 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 20030810023219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030810023219A), Aug 10, 2003: Amtr ANTARESMA33, Palmyra, WI, Destroyed. (-23) On August 10, 2003, at 07:45 CDT an experimental homebuilt antares MA-33, N246AN, made an emergency landing due to the engine losing power. The pilot… 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.