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March 5, 2007 · Wood Quickie Q-2 · N89WW

Edwardsville, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Edwardsville, IL
Aircraft
Wood Quickie Q-2
Tail Number
N89WW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI07LA080

"THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED AUGUST 19, 2008." The pilot reported to air traffic control that the experimental amateur built airplane's engine was malfunctioning. A forced landing was made in a corn field, across the corn rows. The airplane nosed over and caught fire. Examination of the engine revealed that both left cylinders had no compression, and the cylinder head bolts were found with zero torque. The lower forward hold down bolt was found backed out 1/8 inch. After removing the cylinder head and barrels for both left cylinders, evidence of severe combustion gas blow by was found on both barrels and both heads. Metal was melted out of the heads at the bottom forward and bottom aft hold down bolt areas. The loose cylinder head barrels would have resulted in a significant loss of engine power. Toxicology testing revealed that the pilot had recently used two different impairing medications, but it is unclear whether the medication use was relevant to the accident sequence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise due to loose cylinder head bolts/loose cylinders.

Full Narrative

"THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED AUGUST 19, 2008." On March 5, 2007, at 1430 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Wood Quickie Q-2, N89WW, received substantial damage on impact with an agricultural field near Edwardsville, Illinois. The pilot reported that the airplane was having engine problems to air traffic control after takeoff from St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN), Alton/St. Louis, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated at 1410. The pilot of another airplane, N65KC, heard N89WW issue the distress call to ALN tower. Approximately 1430, the pilot of N65KC saw N89WW and followed the airplane to the accident site. He stated that N89WW was trailing blue smoke and performed an emergency landing in a corn field. He described the landing as "hard and fast" and witnessed N89WW flip over during the landing. He stated that there was no fire or smoke from N89WW for about one to two minutes after the accident, after which a post-crash ground fire ensued until emergency personnel arrived at approximately 1445. Ground scarring from the landing was not parallel to the rows within the field. An examination of the engine was performed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors. Both left side cylinders were found with no compression and the cylinder head bolts were found with zero torque. The lower left hand cylinder forward hold down bolt was found backed out 1/8 inch. After removing the cylinder head and barrels for both left cylinders, evidence of severe combustion gas blow by was found on both barrels and both heads. Metal was melted out of the left hand heads at the bottom forward and bottom aft hold down bolt areas. An autopsy was performed by the Madison County Coroner's Office at the Madison County Morgue in Wood River, Illinois. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report for the pilot. The report indicated: 30% CARBON MONOXIDE detected in Blood 1.79 ug/ml CYANIDE detected in Blood 0.467 ug/ml DIPHENHYDRAMINE detected in Blood DIPHENHYDRAMINE detected in Liver 0.077 ug/mL TRAMADOL detected in Blood 0.247 ug/mL TRAMADOL detected in Liver Tramadol (also known by the trade name Ultram) is a prescription medication used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Diphenhydramine (commonly known by the trade name Benadryl) is an over-the-counter antihistamine with sedative effects, often used to treat allergy symptoms or as a nighttime sedative. The pilot did not indicate the use of tramadol or diphenhydramine on any of his applications for airman medical certificate.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWood Quickie Q-2
Tail NumberN89WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRevmaster · 2100 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 34 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data