# NTSB CHI84FEE01: Popelka BD-5, N99555, Sugar Grove, IL, October 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1983, 17:22 local (23:22 UTC)
- Place: Sugar Grove, IL
- Coordinates: 41.759498, -88.449249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7595&lon=-88.4492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FEE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FEE01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,carburetor - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD RECEIVED AN INSPECTION ON 9/8/83, BEFORE IT WAS DISASSEMBLED & TRANSPORTED FROM CALIFORNIA TO ILLINOIS. ON 10/27/83, THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A FLT FROM SANDWICH TO AURORA, IL. WHILE ON A FINAL APCH TO LAND AT AURORA, AFTER A THROTTLE REDUCTION, THE ENG CEASED OPERATING. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENG WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, SO THE PLT LANDED ON A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE ACFT ON THE ROAD DUE TO A BEND IN THE ROAD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CROSSED A CURB & STRUCK A MAIL BOX. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED SEVERAL DISCREPANCIES CONCERNING THE CARBURETOR. THESE INCLUDED A WRONG SIZE OF THE INLET FITTING, PRIMARY VENTURI OUT OF POSITION, MAIN FUEL DISCHARGE NOZZLE BENT, MAIN JET OVERSIZED, & A LEAKY GASKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99555](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99555-1989-01-19), registration cancelled 1989-01-19, S/N 4555 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: POPELKA BD-5
- Registry model: [Popelka Robert J BD-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/popelka-robert-j-bd-5) (registry code 11307C4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 455S
- Engines: HONDA EB-2 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Danel P. Atkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 8, 1983, 1 hours before
- Departed: SANDWICH, IL
- Destination: SUGAR GROVE, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 1 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 19831027074869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831027074869A), Oct 27, 1983: Amtrbd BEDEBD5, Sugar Grove, IL, Substantial damage. Crash ocurred during emergency landing after engine quit from several carburetor discrepancies.

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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