CHI07LA240

Factual narrative

On July 30, 2007, about 0915 central daylight time, N3041G, registered as an Aircoupe F-1A, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain following an in-flight loss of engine power during cruise near the Galt Field Airport (10C), Greenwood, Illinois. The personal flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and the passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was originating from 10C at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that after initial climb out the airplane experienced an "engine power loss" at approximately 1,800 feet mean sea level. The pilot selected a rural road on which to perform an off airport precautionary landing while he troubleshot possible causes for the power loss. The pilot stated that the engine seemed to "respond" as he "worked" the carburetor heat and "experimented" with the fuel mixture. The pilot then decided to return back to the departure airport and the engine power "dropped off again." The pilot determined that he was not able to make it back to the airport so he selected terrain next to an elementary school for a forced landing. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain near an elementary school. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the carburetor heat lever on the air intake box was broken off. The air intake butterfly could not be moved from the ram air position. Weather conditions reported near the time of the accident were: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 23 degrees Celsius; dew point 19 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.07 inches of Mercury. According to the carburetor icing probability chart, there was a moderate risk of carburetor icing at cruise power and a serious risk of carburetor icing at descent power at the time of the accident. The pilot said he was on initial climb out after takeoff at about 1,800 feet msl when the airplane's engine experienced a power loss. The pilot attempted to restore engine power while looking for a place to perform a precautionary landing. The pilot said that the engine seemed to "respond" as he "worked" the carburetor heat and "experimented" with the fuel mixture. While returning to the airport, the airplane lost power again. The pilot attempted a force landing near a school. During the landing attempt, the airplane impacted unsuitable terrain. An examination of the airplane revealed that the carburetor heat lever on the air intake box was broken off. The air intake butterfly could not be moved from the ram air position. The temperature and dew point around the time of the accident were 23 degrees and 19 degrees Celsius respectively. According to the carburetor icing probability chart, the weather conditions produced a moderate risk of carburetor icing at cruise power and a serious risk of carburetor icing at descent power at the time of the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12