- Date
- August 8, 1993, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place
- Canton, IL
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N78WCWalter D. Courtney Courtney TWO
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 2, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930808028159A
- Case key
- 15572
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach to landing.
Analysis
The experimental, amateur built airplane was on final approach to land when witnesses observed the airplane make an abrupt right turn just prior to touchdown. The airplane continued to fly a few feet above the ground and perpendicular to the runway until it eventually struck a tree and a fence. Postaccident inspection of the airplane discovered no preimpact mechanical anomalies.
Factual narrative
The factual narrative390 words
History of flight
On August 8, 1993, Mr. Walter D. Courtney departed Canton Ingersoll Airport, Canton, Illinois, on a pleasure flight under 14 CFR Part 91. His son, Mr. David Courtney, was a passenger (in the aft seat) for this flight. The aircraft was a Walter D. Courtney, N78WC, serial number 1648. Model Courtney Two is an experimental, amateur built aircraft, registered to and built by Mr. Walter D. Courtney. At 1710 central daylight time, N78WC was on approach to land on Runway 18 at Canton Ingersoll Airport. Witnesses observed that just prior to touchdown, the aircraft made a very abrupt right turn, flying a few feet above ground, in a westward direction. The aircraft hit a tree causing it to turn inverted and impact the ground. The aircraft slid approximately thirty feet until it came to rest in a cyclone fence. The pilot received fatal injuries and the passenger sustained minor head injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Injuries to persons
The pilot-in-command, Walter D. Courtney, received fatal injuries. His son, who was the passenger occupying the aft seat, received minor injuries.
Damage to aircraft
The aircraft received substantial damage in the accident. No fire or explosion occurred. The left wing, canopy, and propeller were destroyed.
Other damage
The aircraft struck a tree, which it tore down, and it impacted a cyclone fence.
Personnel information
Mr. Walter D. Courtney, the pilot-in-command, held a Commercial Pilot Certificate with airplane single and multiengine land, airplane single engine sea, and instrument airplane ratings. He also held a Flight Instructor Certificate, airplane single engine rating and repairman certificates for the following experimental aircraft:
Make-Courtney, Walter D. Model-Courtney Two (Vari-EZE) Serial Number-1648 Certification Date-08/28/80
Make-Owen One Model-Teenie Two Serial Number-510037 Certification Date-06/10/75
Aircraft information
The aircraft, a Walter D. Courtney, N78WC, serial number 1648, is an experimental aircraft built by Mr. Walter D. Courtney. The Airworthiness Certificate was issued January 30, 1979. The kit name, Vari-EZE, was a single reciprocating engine, with a seating capacity of two.
Medical and pathological information
Mr. Walter D. Courtney received fatal injuries. The autopsy report revealed that the actual cause of death was Traumatic Asphyxia due to, or as a consequence of, the airplane crash. Toxicology was also performed with negative results.
The autopsy was conducted by the Fulton County, Illinois, Physician, Sharon I. Schnittker, M.D.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N78WC
- Reported as
- Walter D. Courtney Courtney TWO (COURTNEY T)
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 1648
- Airframe hours
- 279
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235, 115 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Walter D. Courtney
- Registered owner
- Walter D. Courtney
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 1, 1993 · 2 hours before
- Airport
- CTK · Canton Ingersoll, runway 18, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 56
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Unknown
- Seat
- Front
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,100 total · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PIA, 18 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.