# NTSB CHI90DEV08: Hilvety Cwii, N7176J, Moweaqua, IL, August 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1990, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Moweaqua, IL
- Coordinates: 39.620243, -89.010894 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6202&lon=-89.0109&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 September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEV08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEV08

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED AND STALLING THE AIRPLANE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE COURSE FOR A FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY REINSTALL SPARK PLUG CABLES DURING SERVICING CONDUCTED PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REMOVED, CLEANED AND REINSTALLED SPARK PLUGS BEFORE FLIGHT. ABOUT 150 FEET INTO INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM TAKEOFF, THE PILOT STATES THE ENGINE LOST POWER AS IF RUNNING ON ONLY ONE OF THE TWO CYLINDERS. THE PILOT STATES HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE RUNWAY AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A MUSHED STALL. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED ONE SPARK PLUG CABLE DISCONNECTED. THE ENGINE PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY WHEN THE CABLE WAS RECONNECTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - open field
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7176J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7176J-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N CH20989CW0455 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILVETY CWII
- Registry model: [Hilvety / Harrison CHALLENGER CW II](https://openairdocs.org/model/hilvety-harrison-challenger-cw-ii) (registry code 05676KS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH20989CW045
- Airframe hours: 66
- Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Hilvety
- Registered owner: Skyes The Limit Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 21, 1990, 66 hours before
- Airport: 4K4, Hilvety, runway 17, 2,165 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 335 total, 40 in this make and model, 262 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 12 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 19900803032809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900803032809A), Aug 3, 1990: Amtrqc CHALLENGER2, Moweaqua, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Stalled trying to turn back to runway. Found spark plug wire disconnected.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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