# NTSB CHI91DEE05: Charles Raucci, JR. Firebolt, N123CR, Schaumburg, IL, June 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1991, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Schaumburg, IL
- Location: 41.9939° N, 88.1397° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SCHAUMBURG RGNL (06C), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9939&lon=-88.1397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEE05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEE05

## Probable cause

THE PILOT NOT FOLLOWING THE SPECIFICATION FOR INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL TANK VENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - fuel system,vent - incorrect
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER BUILDER OF AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF ON A TEST FLIGHT AFTER COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED OFF AIRPORT.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCY.  THE SOLE DISCREPANCY FOUND ON THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS A FUEL TANK VENT CUT SQUARELY ACROSS INSTEAD OF THE KIT MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFIED FORWARD FACING ANGLE CUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N123CR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHARLES RAUCCI, JR. FIREBOLT
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 15
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A2B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Raucci, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 06C, Schaumburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,250 total, 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 14 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 19910601018519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910601018519A), Jun 1, 1991: Amtr FIREBOLT, Chicago/Schaumb, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in a pond and nosed over. Fuel vent not made properly as directed by kit maker.

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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