# NTSB CHI06CA091: Balkema Stol Aircraft, N46365, Scotts, MI, March 4, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 4, 2006, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Scotts, MI
- Coordinates: 42.228332, -85.484443
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2283&lon=-85.4844&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Grand Rapids, MI
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA091

## Probable cause

The in-flight loss of engine power on downwind for undetermined reasons and the post-impact ground fire that burned the airplane while it was standing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - ground
- Fire, standing
  - airframe - burned

## Analysis

The experimental amateur-built airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing to a field following a loss of engine power on downwind.  A ground fire subsequently destroyed the airplane.  Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies in reference to the engine's power loss.

## Factual narrative

The experimental amateur-built airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing to a field following a loss of engine power on downwind.  A post accident ground fire destroyed the airplane.  The pilot stated that he was approximately "600 ft above ground ... on a wide down wind airspeed 118 MPH at 2400 RPM, retarded throttle, engine sped up, pumped throttle 2 to 3 times, felt like no connection to aircraft response.  Aircraft was slowing down saw an open field, thought I would overshoot, I steepened the decent and decided I could S turn to use it.  Then I had to steepen the decent again to maintain airspeed at least as steep as an autorotation as in a helicopter. I changed my field to one right below me.  ... Impacted the ground, one bounce, landing gear flattened out, engine stopped, open door exited aircraft, came back 1 to 2 minutes latter to look.  A fire had started up front by gasglator, I tried throwing dirt on it to put it out, did not help, so I got out of the way and watched to burn."  A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage.  The wreckage did not reveal any anomalies in reference to the engine's power loss.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46365](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46365-2008-09-17), registration cancelled 2008-09-17, S/N 006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Balkema STOL Aircraft
- Registry model: [Balkema John STOL AIRCRAFT](https://openairdocs.org/model/balkema-john-stol-aircraft) (registry code 05619MD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 006
- Engines: LOM M332B reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Balkema
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 66MI, Scotts, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 7,133 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.40 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 3 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 20060304006139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060304006139A), Mar 4, 2006: Americ STOLAIRCRAFT, Kalamazoo, MI, Destroyed. (-23) Shortly after taking off from private owned landing strip in Kalamazoo, Michigan the pilot said he lost engine power and made an emergency landing in a…

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.

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