# NTSB CHI85FEE04: Jauch Coot/Amphib, N81KX, Mendota, IL, August 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1985, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Mendota, IL
- Coordinates: 41.549343, -89.119377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5493&lon=-89.1194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEE04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - foreign object (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A BEAN FLD DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR ON TAKEOFF. THE PLT REPORTED THE ACFT HAD LOW PWR DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, HOWEVER, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF AND MAKE A 180 DEG TURN BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. ONCE AIRBORNE, THE PWR LOSS INCREASED AND THE FORCED LANDING ENSUED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A RAG USED BY THE PLT AS AN AIR INLET COVER WAS NOT REMOVED PRIOR TO FLT AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS INJESTED INTO THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81KX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81KX-1994-07-19), registration cancelled 1994-07-19, S/N TT81 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAUCH COOT/AMPHIB (COOT/AMPHI)
- Registry model: [Jauch Kenneth E COOT-AMPHIBIAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/jauch-kenneth-e-coot-amphibian) (registry code 957051Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: TT81
- Airframe hours: 93
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth E. Jauch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 30, 1985, 60 hours before
- Airport: 0C7, Gandpa'S Farm, runway 36, 3,900 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 487 total, 9 in this make and model, 388 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 40 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 19850826041329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850826041329A), Aug 26, 1985: Amtrta COOTAMPHIB1A, Mendota, IL, Destroyed. Low power on takeoff. Continued loss of power during 180. Landed short in bean field. Pilot left rag in air inlet.

## Other investigations on N81KX (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI87FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA132), May 21, 1987: Jauch Coot (N81KX), Franklin Grove, IL, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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