# NTSB CHI90DEK02: Eickmeier Pitts Special/S1C, N4JE, Van Buren, OH, October 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1989, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Van Buren, OH
- Location: 41.1390° N, 83.6493° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Buren, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1390&lon=-83.6493&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 July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEK02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14460/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEK02

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER TAKEOFF DURING INITIAL CLIMB. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO A SOYBEAN FIELD WHERE THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED DURING A POST ACCIDENT TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4JE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4JE), registered now, S/N JLE-001, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EICKMEIER PITTS SPECIAL/S1C (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Eickmeier John L PITTS SPECIAL S1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/eickmeier-john-l-pitts-special-s1c) (registry code 722111L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JLE-001
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-3C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. Eickmeier
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1989, 10 hours before
- Destination: NONE, MCCLURE, OH
- Airport: NONE, Woodward Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 700 total, 11 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FDY, 6 nm away

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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