# NTSB CHI03LA327: Extra Flugzeugbau EA200, N9PB, Sugar Grove, IL, August 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 2003, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Sugar Grove, IL - Coordinates: 41.771945, -88.475555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7719&lon=-88.4756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58353 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58353/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA327 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadvertent deactivation of the magnetos, and the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the forced landing. Factors were the low altitude and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - ignition system,magneto - disengaged (cause) - powerplant controls - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During an aerobatic competition, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power, and was damaged during the ensuing forced landing. The pilot departed the competitor's zone and attempted to land on the active runway even though the opposite direction runway would have been closer. After switching fuel tanks in an unsuccessful attempt to regain engine power, the pilot prepared for the forced landing. The airplane impacted the ground 30-50 feet off the approach end of the runway. The airplane's propeller and wing were damaged and the landing gear collapsed. The magneto switch was found in the off position. The pilot had no recollection of having turned the switch to the off position. The pilot escaped with no injuries. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 2003, about 1740 central daylight time, an Extra Flugzeugbau EA200, N9PB, piloted by a private pilot sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Sugar Grove, Illinois. The airplane was being flown in an aerobatic competition when the power loss occurred. The airplane came to rest about 50 feet short of the runway during the attempted landing to runway 9 (6,501 feet by 100 feet, concrete), at the Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR). The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated at an undetermined time. The pilot reported the engine lost power while performing an aerobatic maneuver while in an aerobatic competition. She exited the competitor area and switched over to control tower frequency and informed them of her situation. She stated that she switched fuel tanks from the acro tank to the wing tank, but the engine did not regain power. She stated that she was "just south of the airport, closer to [runway] 27, but as [runway] 9 was the active runway I attempted a 180 [degree] side approach to runway 9." The airplane sank too quickly and impacted the ground "approximately 30-50 [feet]" off the west end of runway 9. After impact she exited the airplane and noticed damage to the prop, wing, and collapsed landing gear. A fellow competitor went to assist in the accident. He noticed the key was in the "off position." The accident pilot has no recollection of turning the key in the off position after impact. An authorized inspector who performed the accident airplanes last annual said "the key could have possibly been struck or shaken to the off position." The pilot stated that after the accident she "never checked the position of the key (mags) during the emergency scenario." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9PB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9PB), registered now, S/N 026, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Extra Flugzeugbau EA200 - Registry model: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA300/200](https://openairdocs.org/model/extra-flugzeugbau-ea300-200) (registry code 7021803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26 - Engines: Lycoming AE10-360-AIE 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cynthia R. Lyons - Registered owner: David Underwood and Cynthia Lyons - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: ARR, Sugar Grove, IL - Airport: ARR, Aurora Muni, runway 9, 6,501 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 11, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 962 total, 204 in this make and model, 866 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: ARR ## 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 20030823028999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030823028999A), Aug 23, 2003: Extra EA300, Chicago/Aurora, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was involved in aerobatic competition when during one maneuver there was a loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and… 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.