# NTSB CHI08CA170: Kindig Sonex, N184L, Metropolis, IL, June 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2008, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Metropolis, IL - Coordinates: 37.185832, -88.750556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1858&lon=-88.7506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68361 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68361/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA170 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undermined reasons and the low altitude at the time of engine power loss while turning. An additional cause was the proper touchdown point not attained by the pilot, A contributing factor was the runway lights. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Kindig Richard K SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05622B6), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Kindig Richard K SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=05622B6), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kindig Richard K SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05622B6), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Kindig Richard K SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05622B6), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Kindig Richard K SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622B6), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot and owner of the experimental amateur-built airplane was arriving at the destination airport when the engine hesitated during final approach. The airplane had about 2 gallons of auto gas aboard upon landing. The airplane landed without further incident and the pilot reportedly refueled with 100 low lead aviation fuel. Prior to departing the destination airport, the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the fuel and airplane and no fuel contamination was found and no anomalies with the engine were noted. The airplane then departed, and while in a crosswind turn about 500 feet above ground level (agl), the engine speed decreased to "almost" idle. The pilot was able to obtain a limited increase in engine speed by moving the throttle control back and forth. The pilot flew the airplane over the airport about 400 feet agl and performed a steep turn abeam the approach end of runway 18 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) to intercept the final approach. During the turn to final, the engine lost power, and the airplane touched down short of runway 18, rolled onto the runway, and impacted runway lights. Both wings were dented with rib damage to at least the right wing. The pilot was uninjured. ## Factual narrative The private pilot and owner of the experimental amateur-built airplane was arriving at the destination airport when the engine hesitated during final approach. The airplane had about 2 gallons of auto gas aboard upon landing. The airplane landed without further incident and the pilot reportedly refueled with 100 low lead aviation fuel. Prior to departing the destination airport, the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the fuel and airplane and no fuel contamination was found and no anomalies with engine were noted. The airplane then departed, and while in a crosswind turn about 500 feet above ground level (agl), the engine speed decreased to "almost" idle. The pilot was able obtain a limited increase in engine speed by moving the throttle control back and forth. The pilot flew the airplane over the airport about 400 feet agl and performed a steep turn abeam the approach end of runway 18 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) to intercept the final approach. During the turn to final, the engine quit and the airplane touched down short of runway 18, rolled onto the runway, and impacted runway lights. Both wings were dented with rib damage to at least the right wing. The pilot was uninjured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N184L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N184L), registered now, S/N 928, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kindig Sonex - Registry model: [Kindig Richard K SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/kindig-richard-k-sonex) (registry code 05622B6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerovee 2180](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerovee-2180) (registry code 01400, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 928 - Engines: Kindig AeroVee 2180 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility - Departed: M30, Metropolis, IL - Destination: M30 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 96 total, 39 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080607840629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080607840629A), Jun 7, 2008: Amtr SONEX, Metropolis, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman departed M30 airport. Aircraft engine quit shortly after departure. Airman decided to return to airport due to terrain restrictions. Aircraft… 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.