# NTSB CHI98LA242: Brunnemer HMB-2, N9129F, Greenwood, IN, July 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1998, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Greenwood, IN - Coordinates: 39.609951, -86.110366 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6100&lon=-86.1104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10954 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10954/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA242 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a fractured ignition coil. A factor to the accident was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - ignition system,ignition coil - fractured (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that approximately 10 minutes into the flight the engine loss complete power. The pilot was cruising at an approximate altitude of 700' above ground level (agl). The pilot completed a forced landing into a soybean field and upon touchdown the aircraft dug into the soft terrain. The front wheel contacted the terrain first, resulting in the aircraft to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position. The pilot stated that the area had received 1.5 inches of rain the night before, and that produced the 6 inches of mud that was present in the soybean field. Post accident investigation showed that the ignition coil had broken due to fatigue from operational vibrations. No other engine or aircraft anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1998, at 0910 central daylight time, a Brunnemer HMB-2, N9129F, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power during cruise flight, near Greenwood, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed a private airstrip near Franklin, Indiana, at 0900, with the intended destination of Putnam County Airport, near Greencastle, Indiana. According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot stated that approximately 10 minutes into the flight the engine loss complete power. The pilot was cruising at an approximate altitude of 700' above ground level (agl). The pilot completed a forced landing into a soybean field and upon touchdown the aircraft dug into the soft terrain. The front wheel contacted the terrain first, resulting in the aircraft to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position. The pilot stated that the area had received 1.5 inches of rain the night before, and that produced the 6 inches of mud that was present in the soybean field. Post accident investigation showed that the ignition coil had broken. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the fatigue was attributed to operational vibrations. No other engine or aircraft anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9129F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9129F-2015-11-24), registration cancelled 2015-11-24, S/N 9-95-2, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Brunnemer HMB-2 - Registry model: [Brunnemer Harlan M HMB-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/brunnemer-harlan-m-hmb-2) (registry code 05601YX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 9-95-2 - Airframe hours: 93 - Engines: Subaru EJ22 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harlan M. Brunnemer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1997, 18 hours before - Departed: 71II, FRANKLIN, IN - Destination: 4I7, GREENCASTLE, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 225 total, 225 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 12 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 19980704016279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980704016279A), Jul 4, 1998: Amtr HMB2, Greenwood, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) 12 Volt coil wire broke in flight. Aircraft experienced engine failure. Pilot autorotated to touchdown. Upon touchdown, nose tire sunk into about 6… 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.