# NTSB SEA04LA046: Jerome Q-2, N143GJ, Hillsboro, OR, February 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 28, 2004, 15:53 local (23:53 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR - Coordinates: 45.54, -122.946662 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5400&lon=-122.9467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA046 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of deteriorating weather conditions (increasing rain) and his failure to maintain the proper rate of descent on landing (long/hard touchdown). Contributing factors were carburetor icing conditions and rain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported that the Revmaster 2100DQ engine, a Volkswagen automobile engine modified for aircraft use, had just undergone maintenance work for a sticking valve and this was the first flight for the homebuilt aircraft following that maintenance. He took off in light drizzle, flew one circuit in the pattern and was climbing out for a second approach when he encountered heavy rain. The aircraft's engine began to run rough and the pilot applied carburetor heat but the partial power loss continued. He then received clearance to land and executed a rapid descent to a hard landing coming to rest near the midpoint of the 4,049 foot long asphalt runway. The temperature/dew point at the time of the accident at the site was 8/6 degrees Celsius respectively, and serious carburetor icing conditions existed. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 2004, at 1553 Pacific standard time, a Jerome Q-2 homebuilt aircraft, N143GJ, registered to and being flown by a private pilot sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Portland-Hillsboro airport, Hillsboro, Oregon. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91 and originated at Hillsboro approximately 1530. The pilot reported that the Revmaster 2100DQ engine, a Volkswagen automobile engine modified for aircraft use, had just undergone maintenance work for a sticking valve and this was the first flight following that maintenance. He departed Hillsboro airport on runway 20 in light drizzle and flew a circuit in the pattern at the airport without problems. While climbing out on the second circuit, the pilot encountered "...heavy rain that obscured my vision...," and shortly thereafter the engine began running rough. The pilot, suspecting carburetor icing, applied carburetor heat. The reduced power condition continued and the pilot was cleared to land on runway 20 by the air traffic control tower. He reported that he executed a rapid descent and subsequently landed hard during which the left canard broke at the fuselage attach point and the aircraft came to rest near the midpoint of the 4,049 foot long asphalt runway (refer to attached NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The aviation surface weather observation for Hillsboro airport reported at 1553 the following meteorological conditions: Ceiling 2,700 foot broken, 3,100 foot overcast, 6 miles visibility in light rain and mist, temperature/dew point 8/6 degrees Celsius respectively and winds from 220 degrees magnetic at 10 knots (refer to Attachment WX-I). The temperature/dew point readings at the time of the accident were consistent with carburetor icing conditions (refer to Attachment CI-I). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N143GJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143GJ-2005-08-17), registration cancelled 2005-08-17, S/N 37, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jerome Q-2 - Registry model: [Jerome Gerald M Q-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/jerome-gerald-m-q-2) (registry code 056105J) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 37 - Airframe hours: 106 - Engines: Revmaster 2100DQ 70 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2003, 2 hours before - Departed: HIO, Hillsboro, OR - Destination: HIO - Airport: HIO, Portland-Hillsboro, runway 20, 4,049 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 24, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 495 total, 106 in this make and model, 412 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: HIO 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.