# NTSB CHI90DEE08: Ronald D. Cothern Quickie, N701RC, Plainfield, IL, July 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1990, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.609943, -88.199279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6099&lon=-88.1993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEE08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEE08

## Probable cause

SEPARATION OF AN IGNITION LEAD, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition lead - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE PILOTED BY THE OWNER/BUILDER LOST ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM TAKEOFF. THE PRIVATE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, STRIKING A FENCE IN THE COURSE OF ROLLOUT. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED A WIRE PROVIDING POWER TO THE IGNITION COIL SEPARATED FROM ITS TERMINAL AT THE COIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N701RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701RC-1993-02-04), registration cancelled 1993-02-04, S/N RC1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RONALD D. COTHERN QUICKIE
- Registry model: [Cothern Ronald D QUICKIE](https://openairdocs.org/model/cothern-ronald-d-quickie) (registry code 05645CN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RC1
- Airframe hours: 151
- Engines: HIRTH F23A 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cothern, Ronald D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: IC5
- Destination: IC5

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 900 total, 135 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 20 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 19900721027709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900721027709A), Jul 21, 1990: Amtrqk QUICKIE, Plainfield, IL, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Struck fence post on forced landing. Wire came off ignition coil. Stopped ignition.

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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