# NTSB CHI96LA273: Beech 77, N18259, South Elgin, IL, August 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1996, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: South Elgin, IL - Coordinates: 41.990024, -88.290496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9900&lon=-88.2905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10341/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA273 ## Probable cause water contamination in the carburetor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - fuel system,carburetor - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was at 1,700 feet mean sea level, initiated a climb, and the 'rpm dropped fast.' The pilot stated he pulled the carburetor heat on and left it on for 30 to 45 seconds. He pushed the mixture to rich, tried each magneto separately, and turned the fuel pump on but the engine did not regain power above about 1,500 rpm. He flew a 'regular pattern,' and made a 'beautiful soft field landing' in a field. During the landing roll, at an indicated airspeed of about 40 to 50 knots, the airplane impacted a ditch sustaining substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed approximately one to two tablespoons of water in the carburetor bowl. Examination of the carburetor, exhaust system, magnetos, and fuel system revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction. During a test run, the engine operated normally at low power settings. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1996, at 1630 central daylight time, a Beech 77, N18259, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a ditch and nosed over during a forced landing in South Elgin, Illinois. The solo student pilot reported a partial loss of engine power. He reported minor injuries. The local, personal flight originated about 1600 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he performed a "normal" preflight and engine run up. He was at 1,700 feet mean sea level and initiated a climb. He advanced the throttle to "75 to 80 percent" and the "rpm dropped fast." He pulled the carburetor heat on and left it on for 30 to 45 seconds. He pushed the mixture to rich, tried each magneto separately, and turned the fuel pump on but the engine did not regain power above about 1,500 rpm. He reported that he flew a "regular pattern," and made a "beautiful soft field landing" in a field. During the landing roll, at an indicated airspeed of about 40 to 50 knots, the airplane impacted a ditch. The nose dropped, the airplane traveled over a road, slid about 25 feet and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. Approximately 5 gallons of clean blue fuel was drained from the right fuel tank and approximately 3 gallons from the left tank. The flaps were in the up position. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the airplane reported that the engine operated normally during a test run at low power settings. All engine controls functioned except the carburetor heat control was stuck in the off position. The air box carburetor heat valve exhibited evidence of impact damage and no evidence of preimpact malfunction. Approximately one to two tablespoons of water was drained from the carburetor bowl. Examination of the carburetor, exhaust system, magnetos, and fuel system revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18259](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18259-1998-11-17), registration cancelled 1998-11-17, S/N WA300 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 77 - Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: WA300 - Airframe hours: 4210 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry R. Chapman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LL53 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 55 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19960802020699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960802020699A), Aug 2, 1996: Beech 77, Plato Center, IL, Substantial damage. Lost partial power. Landed in a field. Struck a ditch. Nosed over. No engine anomalies. Found water in carb bowl. (-23) student pilot departed Olson field,… 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.