# NTSB CHI91DEE04: Beech 35-A33, N123JB, Vernon Hills, IL, April 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1991, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Vernon Hills, IL
- Coordinates: 42.230697, -87.960411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2307&lon=-87.9604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEE04

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND 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, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A MAINTENANCE CHECK FLIGHT AFTER THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED.  ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE PILOT MADE AN OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING.   ON INSPECTION, WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE MAIN FUEL TANK(S).  THE PILOT REPORT THAT HE HAD DRAINED THE AUX FUEL TANKS, BUT NOT THE MAIN TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123JB-2023-06-02), registration cancelled 2023-06-02, S/N CD-313, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35-A33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-A33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-a33) (registry code 1151404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD313
- Airframe hours: 2463
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: G & N Aircraft, doing business as Great Northern Aircraft
- Registered owner: Dr. Bernard L. Abrams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: O5C, GRIFFITH, IN
- Destination: C52, BURLINGTON, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,670 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,378 as pilot in command, 315 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910418021899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910418021899A), Apr 18, 1991: Beech 35A33, Vernon Hills, IL, Substantial damage. Lost power en route on maintenance test flight. On precautionary landing struck a tree. Found water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N123JB (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 CEN20LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA197), May 27, 2020: Beech 35-A33 (N123JB), Cambridge, OH, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A fuel injection system leak at or near the No. 3 cylinder that resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.