Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Morrison model E-Racer, N345JM: Accident occurred July 31, 2011 in Big Rock, Illinois

NTSB Identification: CEN11FA537
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 31, 2011 in Big Rock, IL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/05/2014
Aircraft: MORRISON E-RACER, registration: N345JM
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The accident occurred during the first flight test of the recently completed experimental amateur-built airplane. The tower controller cleared the flight to orbit the airport at 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and to make left turns. As the airplane was completing its first orbit of the airport, the pilot told the tower controller that the airplane was experiencing excessive engine cylinder head temperatures and that he would like to land. According to radar track data, the airplane was at 2,700 feet msl and had a ground speed of about 145 knots at that time. The tower controller replied that the wind was calm and that the flight was cleared to land. The pilot acknowledged the landing clearance, and no additional communications were received from the pilot. Radar track data indicated that the airplane began a left descending turn as its ground speed decreased from about 170 to 105 knots, and its descent rate increased from 650 to 2,400 feet per minute. The last radar return was about 2 miles west-southwest of the airport about 400 feet above the ground. A witness observed the accident airplane traveling about 125 feet above the ground at a high speed while in a slight left turn with its landing gear retracted. The airplane leveled its wings momentarily before it entered a left-wing-low, wings-near-vertical descent and then collided with power lines and a cornfield. The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. No evidence of an in-flight fire was found. The extent of damage to the engine compartment and associated baffling precluded a determination of why the engine developed excessive cylinder head temperatures during the accident flight. However, excessive engine cylinder head temperatures would not have resulted in a flight controllability issue and, therefore, the pilot should have been able to maintain control of the airplane throughout the flight. The pilot had accumulated about 365 hours of flight experience in a comparable airplane.


The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after experiencing excessive engine cylinder head temperatures during the initial flight test of the experimental amateur-built airplane.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 31, 2011, at 0748 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Morrison model E-Racer airplane, N345JM, was destroyed when it collided with power lines and terrain while maneuvering during a test flight near Big Rock, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed the Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR), Sugar Grove, Illinois, at 0744.

The accident occurred during the airplane's first flight since being issued an experimental category airworthiness certificate. According to air traffic control data, the pilot contacted ground control at 0739:33 (hh:mm:ss) for a taxi clearance to runway 27. The pilot told the ground controller that it was the airplane's first flight and that he wanted to orbit the airport at 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl). At 0742:27, the pilot contacted the control tower for a takeoff clearance on runway 27. The tower controller cleared the flight for takeoff on runway 27 and to orbit the airport at 2,500 feet msl, making left turns. Radar track data initially depicted the airplane at 900 feet msl, west of the departure end of runway 27, in a climbing left turn. The airplane climbed to 2,600 feet msl while maintaining a 1 to 2 mile radius from the airport. At 0747:29, as the airplane was completing its first orbit of the airport, the pilot told the tower controller that the airplane was experiencing excessive engine cylinder head temperatures and that he would like to land. According to radar track data, the airplane was at 2,700 feet msl and had a ground speed of about 145 knots at that time. The tower controller replied that the wind was calm and that the flight was cleared to land on either runway 27 or runway 9. At 0747:42, the pilot replied that he would land on runway 27. There were no additional communications received from the pilot.

After the pilot reported having excessive engine cylinder head temperatures, radar track data indicated that the airplane began a descending left turn about 1.5 miles from the airport. The airplane's ground speed decreased from about 170 knots to 105 knots during the final 18 seconds of recorded radar data. During the same time period, the airplane descent rate increased from 650 feet per minute to 2,400 feet per minute. At 0748:10, the last radar return was recorded about 2.2 miles west-southwest of ARR at 1,100 feet (about 400 feet above the ground).

A witness, who was also a certificated pilot, observed the airplane flying at a low altitude, between 100 to 150 feet above the ground, immediately north of Granart Road. The airplane was traveling at a high ground speed in a slight left turn with its landing gear retracted. The airplane leveled its wings momentarily before it entered a left wing low, wings near vertical, descent. The airplane collided with power lines and a cornfield while in the near vertical descent.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, age 73, held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land airplane rating. His last aviation medical examination was completed on July 6, 2011, when he was issued a third-class medical certificate with a restriction for corrective lenses.

The most recent pilot logbook entry was dated July 15, 2007. At that time, the pilot had accumulated 382 hours total flight time. The logbook indicated that all of his flight experience had been completed in single-engine land airplanes. The last documented flight review was completed on November 18, 2006, in a Cessna 172.

On September 12, 2000, the pilot had a forced landing accident in another Morrison model E-Racer, serial number 113 (not the accident airplane). The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) final report attributed the loss of engine power to the pilot/builder's modification of the engine air intake system that resulted in an excessive fuel flow to the manifold. The pilot reported having accumulated 191 hours total time in all aircraft and 24 hours in the Morrison model E-Racer at the time of the September 2000 accident.

On June 21, 2008, the pilot experienced an inflight fire accident in the same airplane that was involved in the September 2000 accident. The airplane, serial number 113, was destroyed during the accident. The NTSB final report attributed the inflight fire to an unspecified failure within the high-pressure fuel system. The pilot reported having accumulated 490 hours total time in all aircraft and 365 hours in the Morrison model E-Racer at the time of the June 2008 accident.

According to FAA records, on July 6, 2011, the pilot reported having 502 hours total flight experience when he applied for his current medical certificate. Additionally, he reported that he had not flown during the 6 months before the medical examination. The pilot's previous medical certificate was issued on November 4, 2006, at which time he reported having 320 hours total flight experience.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was a 2011 Morrison model E-Racer amateur-built airplane, serial number 186. The plans-built composite airframe was equipped with a forward canard and a rear-mounted engine. A modified 350-horsepower Lycoming model O-540-A1D5 reciprocating engine, serial number L-1135005-40, powered the airplane. The stock Lycoming O-540-A1D5 engine had been modified with a fuel injection system and an electronic coil-on-plug ignition system. These engine design modifications resulted in an experimental engine classification. The airplane was equipped with a fixed pitch, three blade, Catto Propellers wood propeller. The accident airplane was issued an experimental airworthiness certificate on July 8, 2011. The accident occurred during the airplane's first flight. A postaccident review of the available maintenance records found no history of unresolved airworthiness issues.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 0752, the ARR automated surface observing system (ASOS) reported: calm wind, visibility 7 miles, clear sky, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point 20 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR), located about 1 mile northwest of Sugar Grove, Illinois, was served by three runways: 9/27 (6,501 feet by 100 feet, concrete); 15/33 (5,503 feet by 100 feet, concrete); and 18/36 (3,198 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The airport elevation was 712 feet mean sea level (msl).

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

A postaccident investigation confirmed that all airframe structural and flight control components were located at the accident site. The initial impact point was beneath a set of power lines, located about 20 feet south of Granart Road. The initial impact consisted of a ground depression that was consistent in size and shape as the leading edge of the outboard section of the airplane's left wing and associated winglet. The ground depression extended about 15 feet into the cornfield and was consistent with the length of the entire left wing. The main impact crater was located in the cornfield, about 40 feet east of power lines.

The main wreckage consisted of the entire airframe, flight controls, engine, and propeller. All observed structural component failures were consistent with overstress separation. The entire fuselage was fragmented. Both wings had separated from the fuselage. There were three power lines found entangled with the right wing, which were located 7 inches, 45 inches, and 121 inches outboard of the wing root. The power lines had penetrated the right wing leading edge, and extended aft to the main wing spar. The left wing exhibited leading edge damage. The canard and elevator were found in several pieces. The split-rudder surfaces remained attached to their respective vertical stabilizers. Flight control continuity could not be established due to the extent of the damage; however, all observed flight control system discontinuities were consistent with overstress. There was no evidence of an inflight fire.

The engine remained attached to the aft fuselage bulkhead/firewall, which had separated from the fuselage. The engine compartment and associated baffling were destroyed during the accident. Internal engine and valve train continuity was confirmed as the engine crankshaft was rotated. Compression and suction were noted on all cylinders in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. The upper spark plugs were removed and exhibited features consistent with normal engine operation. A functional test of the electronic coil-on-plug ignition system was not possible due to the extent of damage. There were no obstructions between the air filter housing and the fuel servo. The fuel supply line to the fuel servo contained fuel consistent in appearance with 100-low lead aviation fuel. A fuel sample was free of any water or particulate contamination. The fuel inlet screen was free of any particulate contamination. The propeller remained attached to the engine crankshaft. One of the three propeller blades was fractured near the hub. The remaining two propeller blades remained attached to the hub and were undamaged.

The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The extent of damage to the engine compartment and associated baffling precluded a determination of why the engine had developed excessive cylinder head temperatures during the accident flight. Additionally, although the airplane was equipped with an electronic flight information system, the individual components were not configured and/or equipped to record flight data.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

On June 30, 2011, an autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Kane County Coroner's Office located in Geneva, Illinois. The cause of death for the pilot was attributed to multiple blunt-force injuries sustained during the accident.

The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on samples obtained during the pilot's autopsy. No ethanol was detected. Diphenhydramine was detected in liver and kidney samples. Diphenhydramine, trade name Benadryl, is an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine used to treat seasonal allergies. Famotidine was detected in kidney samples. Famotidine, trade name Pepcid, is an over-the-counter histamine that inhibits stomach acid production. Quinine was detected in liver samples. Quinine is an anti-malarial used in the treatment of malaria and leg cramps; however, it is also an additive used in tonic water and in over-the-counter nutritional supplements.


http://registry.faa.gov/N345JM
 
NTSB Identification: CEN11FA537 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 31, 2011 in Big Rock, IL
Aircraft: Morrison E-Racer, registration: N345JM
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On July 31, 2011, at 0748 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Morrison model E-Racer airplane, N345JM, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines and terrain while maneuvering during a test flight near Big Rock, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The test flight originated at 0744 from the Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR), Sugar Grove, Illinois.

The accident flight was the airplane's first flight since being issued an experimental airworthiness certificate. According to air traffic control data, the pilot contacted ground control at 0739 for a taxi clearance to runway 27. The pilot stated that it was the airplane's first flight and that he wanted to circle the airport at 2,500 feet. At 0742, the pilot contacted the control tower for a takeoff clearance on runway 27. The tower controller cleared the airplane for takeoff on runway 27 and to circle the airport at 2,500 feet, making left turns. At 0744:12, radar contact was established with the airplane at 900 feet, west of the departure end of runway 27, in a climbing left turn. The airplane climbed to 2,600 feet while maintaining a 1 mile radius from the airport. At 0747:29, as the airplane was completing its first orbit of the airport, the pilot radioed the tower controller that the airplane was experiencing high engine cylinder head temperatures and that he would like to land. The pilot was told there was a calm wind and that he was cleared to land on either runway 27 or runway 9. At 0747:42, the pilot replied that he would land on runway 27. There were no additional communications received from the pilot. The last radar return was recorded at 0748:11, about 2 miles west-southwest of KARR, at 1,100 feet.

A witness, who was driving eastbound on Granart Road, saw the accident airplane flying at a low altitude, between 100 to 150 feet above the ground, immediately north of Granart Road. The airplane was traveling at a high speed in a slight left turn with its landing gear retracted. The airplane leveled its wings momentarily before it entered a left wing low, wings near vertical, descent. The airplane collided with power lines and a cornfield in the near vertical descent.



John Morrisons E-Racer Varient project "X Treme" during construction. John Morrison of Aurora, was killed when this plane crashed about 7:48 a.m. near Granart Road and Camp Dean Road in Big Rock Township. 
(Photo courtesy of Eracer Aircraft Construction Site)





A truck carries away the wreckage of a plane built and flown by John Morrison that crashed near Aurora on Sunday.



KANE COUNTY IL— A 73-year-old man was killed Sunday when his small experimental plane crashed near Aurora.

Police say John Morrison was an experienced pilot who had just taken off from the Aurora airport Sunday morning just before 8 a.m.in his new experimental airplane on its first flight when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed into a nearby field.

The remains of the aircraft were found in a field of corn about a 1/2 mile from where Morrison had taken off.

Morrison was a long time resident of Aurora and well known in the flying community. The aircraft, called an E-Racer was a homemade plane which Morrison was taking out for its first flight. He called soon after takeoff that there was trouble and he was turning around. But the plane lost altitude, coming down suddenly just south of Highway 30, clipping power lines and crashing just feet into the corn.

The FAA and NTSB are on the scene investigating the cause of the crash which may not be known for several weeks. 


A 73-year-old man who "loved flying" and survived two other crashes was killed today when a small experimental plane he built and was piloting crashed near Aurora on its first flight, officials said.

The pilot, John Morrison of Aurora, was killed when the plane crashed about 7:48 a.m. near Granart Road and Camp Dean Road in Big Rock Township, said Kane County Sheriff Spokesman Lt. Patrick Gengler in an email statement.
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The plane, described by FAA officials as an E-Racer, was making a test flight and had never flown before, said FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro. He said Morrison called the control tower at Aurora Municipal Airport to return and land after experiencing trouble but the plane crashed before it could reach the airport, said Molinaro.

According to FAA records, the plane was certified on May 31 and was described as a single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft. Records indicate that Morrison built the plane himself. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating today's crash.

The plane had taken off from the airport and was heading north across Route 30 when it began to lose altitude for some reason, officials said. The plane soon crashed into a cornfield on the south side of Granart Road, Gengler said.

As the plane was coming down, it made contact with an electrical line, causing a small power outage to the area, said Gengler. ComEd crews were on site trying to get the power restored, said Gengler.

Morrison, an experienced pilot with a long history of flying experimental planes, was the only person on the plane and died on the scene, Gengler said. Gengler also said that Morrison was making a small flight this morning in the area to test the plane.

"His wife described it as his passion. ... He loved flying," said Gengler. "The family is very stunned by this."

Morrison was described by Gengler as a long-time Aurora man who is very well-known in the area and in local aviation circles. According to records, Morrison had previously owned a local body shop called Morrison Body and Paint Shop. He also had once worked for Aurora, an official said.

Gengler said that there are several crashes in the area each year, some resulting in no fatalities.

According to National Transportation Safety Board records, Morrison survived crashes in two other E-Racer airplanes that he had previously built over the past decade.

On June 21, 2008, at about 12:30 p.m., Morrison had just departed Aurora Municipal Airport en-route to Frasca Field Airport in Urbana, when the engine speed started decreasing, according to an NTSB report about the incident.

Morrison was at 2,000 feet and about one mile from the airport when he turned on a secondary fuel pump and then notified air traffic control that he was returning to the airport to land.

But as he tried to return, he lost power completely and then the cockpit began to fill with smoke. Morrison notified controllers that the plane was filling with smoke and he then received clearance to land, according to the report.

Seconds, later he told controllers that a fire had started in the cockpit near the fire-well of the plane, according to records.

"Visibility and breathing were difficult due to the smoke," according to the report.

As Morrison approached the runway, the report indicates that he was "intermittently losing visual contact with the runway due to the smoke in the cockpit."

Morrison struggled to get the runway lined up and eventually made a hard landing which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and caused the plane to spin around and rest about 1,500 from the runway threshold, according to the report.

"The pilot successfully evacuated the airplane, which was consumed by fire," according to the report. The report indicated that it officials were unable to locate the source of the fire. Morrison told officials he believed that crash was caused by a failure in the high-pressure fuel system.

In a previous incident on Sept. 12, 2000 Morrison had to complete a "forced landing" when engine trouble occurred. He had flown out of Aurora Municipal Airport during a test flight in that airplane.

According to records, the plane was "substantially damaged" in a bean field near Sugar Grove at about 5:30 p.m. where it went down after losing power.

While that plane was destroyed, Morrison escaped without injury. He told officials that he had modified the engine and was testing it when he reported that the engine became flooded with fuel and quit.

This afternoon a flatbed carrying the mangled wreckage of the plane slowly left the scene, as one of his friends and fellow pilots looked on.

The man, who did not wish to give his name, said he had known Morrison for 10 - 15 years, and had great respect for his ability as both a plane builder and pilot.

"He was a consumate builder - the best builder I've ever seen," the man said.

He said Morrison could often be found in his hanger at the airport, working on his aircraft, and would often drop what he was doing to show visitors around his workspace.

"I work a lot with foreign exchange students, and I'll often take them up flying, since a lot of them can't do that where they're from," the man said. "I'd always take them to see John, and he'd show them his plane and how he built it and everything."

Morrison was also skilled at handling his aircraft in emergencies, and his friend said he marvelled that Morrison was able to safely land his plane during the 2008 incident.

"His airplane caught on fire, and he got it down, which is an incredible job," the man said. "He was just a really good guy. I'm gonna miss him."

Roch LaRocca, a fellow experimental plane enthusiast, had known Morrison for about four years. Morrison was featured on a Website run by LaRocca, who admired the Aurora man for his craftmanship.

"The planes he built were just like factory built," said LaRocca. "I was always impressed with everything he built."