# NTSB CHI98LA121: Extra Flugzeugbau EA-300, N301NL, Chenoa, IL, April 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 1998, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Chenoa, IL - Coordinates: 40.739849, -88.709594 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7398&lon=-88.7096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10850 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10850/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA121 ## Probable cause the pilot experienced GLOC (G induced loss of consciousness) while performing an aerobatic maneuver. Fatigue was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - incapacitation(loss of consciousness), pilot in command (cause) - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis A pilot with aerobatic experience witnessed the accident airplane maneuvering prior to impact. She reported that the airplane was 'kicking around for the turn-around for a knife-edge spin (identical entry as a hammerhead maneuver). Everything looked normal.' The witness reported the airplane was recovering from this maneuver and initiated a 1/4 roll (down) to the left. The witness reported that, 'The plane got lower and lower, closer to the ground. I could see that there was a last minute positive pitch change. I saw him impact the ground flat.' The pilot was found conscious. The witness reported, 'He was aware of what had happened to him. He explained [to] me on the spot that he G-locked (gray-out) during the pullout of the maneuver... .' The pilot reported that a lack of food and water on the day of the accident, in addition to fatigue, contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 1998, at 1745 central daylight time, an Extra Flugzeugbau EA-300, N301NL, operated by Northern Lights Aerobatic Team, sustained substantial damage. A witness reported that the pilot was practicing aerobatic maneuvers when he lost control of the aircraft. The pilot attempted to regain control but the tail impacted the terrain in a wings level attitude. The pilot received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Palwaukee Airport, Wheeling, Illinois, as a flight of two, and had flown to a private grass airstrip near Chenoa, Illinois. The first airplane landed and the accident airplane continued to practice aerobatic manuevers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot of the first airplane reported that she saw the accident airplane maneuvering prior to impact. She reported that the airplane was "kicking around for the turn-around for a knife-edge spin (identical entry as a hammerhead maneuver). Everything looked normal." The witness reported the airplane was recovering from this maneuver and initiated a 1/4 roll (down) to the left. The witness reported that, "The plane got lower and lower, closer to the ground. I could see that there was a last minute positive pitch change. I saw him impact the ground flat." The witness reported that the pilot was found conscious. The witness reported, "He was aware of what had happened to him. He explained [to] me on the spot that he G-locked (gray-out) during the pullout of the maneuver (what explains why he was forced to relax the back stick pressure-to prevent a pass-out), and was asking if he cleared the power (or phone?) lines (what explains the last second pitch change)." The pilot reported a lack of food and water on the day of the accident, in addition to fatigue, contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N301NL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N301NL-1998-08-31), registration cancelled 1998-08-31, S/N 059 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EXTRA FLUGZEUGBAU EA-300 - Registry model: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/extra-flugzeugbau-ea-300) (registry code 70218DI) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 059 - Airframe hours: 1250 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northern Lights Aerobatic Team - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: PWK, PALWAUKEE, IL - Destination: 11LL, THACKER FIELD, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 27 knots, gusting 34 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BMI, 30 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 19980412006509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980412006509A), Apr 12, 1998: Extra EA300, Chenoa, IL, Substantial damage. During practice aerobatic manuevers lost control of Extra. Tail hit ground on pullout from maneuver. (.4)a pilot with aerobatic experience witnessed the… 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.