The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greater Chicago; Des Plaines, Illinois
Location: Beecher, IL
Accident Number: CEN20LA219
Date & Time: 06/08/2020, 0946 CDT
Registration: N257V
Aircraft: Flight Design CTLS
Injuries:1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On June 8, 2020, at 0946 central daylight time, a Flight Design GMBH CTLS airplane, N257V was destroyed when it was involved in an accident, near Beecher, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Figure 1. ADS-B plot of the airplane's flight path with the accident location depicted.
The airplane had just departed from runway 09 at the Bult Field airport (C56). There were no witnesses to the accident but preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane accelerated to about 60 kts. groundspeed and climbed to about 75 ft. above ground level (agl). The groundspeed then decreased to about 50 kts while the altitude continued to increase until it reached about 175 ft agl. At that time, the airplane was about 300 ft short of the departure end of the runway and began a descending left turn. During the turn the groundspeed remained about 50 knots. The accident site was about 300 ft and 10° from the last recorded data point and about 0.4 miles northeast of the departure end of the runway.
The field was a flat recently planted corn field. The corn plants were about 3-4 inches tall and the ground was firm, dry, and hard packed. There were three linear marks at the accident site that were consistent with having been made by the airplane's tricycle landing gear. The center depression was deeper and longer, indicating that the airplane impacted in a nose low attitude. The airplane's nose landing gear and right main landing gear separated from the airplane and the airplane nosed over on its back. The forward fuselage was crushed rearward and upward into the cabin area. The wings were predominately intact and still attached to the fuselage. The empennage of the airplane was intact but separated from the remainder of the fuselage at the leading edge of the vertical tail.
Figure 3. A view of the airplane wreckage looking toward the southwest.
The airplane was powered by a Rotax 912 ULS engine that had been modified with the addition of aftermarket electronic fuel injection and turbocharger systems.
A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine will be conducted at a later date.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Flight Design
Registration: N257V
Model/Series: CTLS Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: GYY, 597 ft msl
Observation Time: 1445 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 150°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Monee, IL (C56)
Destination: Kankakee, IL (IKK)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.381667, -87.665278
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
John E. Van Kalker, age 84, of Crete, IL, passed away Monday, June 8, 2020. Beloved husband of Barbara Van Kalker, nee Molenhouse. Loving father of Ronald (Nancy) Van Kalker, Richard (Darci) Van Kalker, Gerald (Heidi) Van Kalker and John R. (Debbie) Van Kalker. Step-father of Jerry (Sheila) Zeldenrust. Proud grandfather of Justin, Jason, Ming, Michelle, Payton, Kacie, Kyle, Amanda, and Amber. Step-grandfather of four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Dear brother of Robert (late Martha) Van Kalker, late Ted (late Betty) Van Kalker, and the late Joyce (Dave) Bosgraff. Kind uncle of many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his first wife Carol A. Van Kalker, nee DeBoer, and by his parents, John and Catherine Van Kalker.
Visitation Friday, June 12, 2020 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN. Funeral service Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at First Church (PCA) 3134 Ridge Rd, Lansing, IL, with Rev. Ben Kappers officiating. Private interment Homewood Memorial Gardens – Homewood, IL.
John will be remembered as a truly generous, gentle and humble man of God, who touched the lives of family and friends with his broad smile and caring words. His unique appreciation for the simplicity of farm-life and new technology led to a variety of hobbies and interests. From raising cattle to solar power, and from exotic birds to flying airplanes, John enjoyed a full life while always being quick to testify that all he was blessed with came from his heavenly Father. John’s prayers at family gatherings never failed to include thanks to God for the precious gift of our Savior Jesus Christ, ensuring eternal life for all who believe. His investments in Kingdom work through the Bible League International and seminaries exemplified his convictions that we are blessed by God while we are here to spread the good news of the gospel. Although a few short lines cannot adequately reflect his life and accomplishments, the ripple effect of his loss will stand as a testament to the genuine love he showed and the example he gave us. John was a United States Army Veteran. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Bible League International. For further information please contact 219-322-7300 or visit www.SMITSFH.com
The Will County Coroner’s Office is reporting the death of John E. Van Kalker, an 84 year old male resident of Crete, Illinois, who was pronounced deceased yesterday afternoon at 12:35 in Beecher, Illinois.
Mr. Van Kalker was the pilot of a Flight Design CTLS aircraft that was involved in an aviation accident approximately ¼ mile south of the 2000 block of West Offner Rd. in Beecher, Illinois.
An autopsy has been scheduled for June 9th.
The Federal Aviation Administration was assisted by the Will County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.
The final cause and manner of death will be determined at a later date pending Federal Aviation Administration, autopsy, and toxicological reports.
https://www.wjol.com
Accident Number: CEN20LA219
Date & Time: 06/08/2020, 0946 CDT
Registration: N257V
Aircraft: Flight Design CTLS
Injuries:1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On June 8, 2020, at 0946 central daylight time, a Flight Design GMBH CTLS airplane, N257V was destroyed when it was involved in an accident, near Beecher, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Figure 1. ADS-B plot of the airplane's flight path with the accident location depicted.The airplane had just departed from runway 09 at the Bult Field airport (C56). There were no witnesses to the accident but preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane accelerated to about 60 kts. groundspeed and climbed to about 75 ft. above ground level (agl). The groundspeed then decreased to about 50 kts while the altitude continued to increase until it reached about 175 ft agl. At that time, the airplane was about 300 ft short of the departure end of the runway and began a descending left turn. During the turn the groundspeed remained about 50 knots. The accident site was about 300 ft and 10° from the last recorded data point and about 0.4 miles northeast of the departure end of the runway.
Figure 2. A view of the accident scene looking north. The initial impact point is in the foreground and the airplane can be seen inverted in the background.
The field was a flat recently planted corn field. The corn plants were about 3-4 inches tall and the ground was firm, dry, and hard packed. There were three linear marks at the accident site that were consistent with having been made by the airplane's tricycle landing gear. The center depression was deeper and longer, indicating that the airplane impacted in a nose low attitude. The airplane's nose landing gear and right main landing gear separated from the airplane and the airplane nosed over on its back. The forward fuselage was crushed rearward and upward into the cabin area. The wings were predominately intact and still attached to the fuselage. The empennage of the airplane was intact but separated from the remainder of the fuselage at the leading edge of the vertical tail.
Figure 3. A view of the airplane wreckage looking toward the southwest.The airplane was powered by a Rotax 912 ULS engine that had been modified with the addition of aftermarket electronic fuel injection and turbocharger systems.
A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine will be conducted at a later date.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Flight Design
Registration: N257V
Model/Series: CTLS Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: GYY, 597 ft msl
Observation Time: 1445 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 150°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Monee, IL (C56)
Destination: Kankakee, IL (IKK)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.381667, -87.665278
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
John E. Van Kalker
Visitation Friday, June 12, 2020 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN. Funeral service Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at First Church (PCA) 3134 Ridge Rd, Lansing, IL, with Rev. Ben Kappers officiating. Private interment Homewood Memorial Gardens – Homewood, IL.
John will be remembered as a truly generous, gentle and humble man of God, who touched the lives of family and friends with his broad smile and caring words. His unique appreciation for the simplicity of farm-life and new technology led to a variety of hobbies and interests. From raising cattle to solar power, and from exotic birds to flying airplanes, John enjoyed a full life while always being quick to testify that all he was blessed with came from his heavenly Father. John’s prayers at family gatherings never failed to include thanks to God for the precious gift of our Savior Jesus Christ, ensuring eternal life for all who believe. His investments in Kingdom work through the Bible League International and seminaries exemplified his convictions that we are blessed by God while we are here to spread the good news of the gospel. Although a few short lines cannot adequately reflect his life and accomplishments, the ripple effect of his loss will stand as a testament to the genuine love he showed and the example he gave us. John was a United States Army Veteran. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Bible League International. For further information please contact 219-322-7300 or visit www.SMITSFH.com
Mr. Van Kalker was the pilot of a Flight Design CTLS aircraft that was involved in an aviation accident approximately ¼ mile south of the 2000 block of West Offner Rd. in Beecher, Illinois.
An autopsy has been scheduled for June 9th.
The Federal Aviation Administration was assisted by the Will County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.
The final cause and manner of death will be determined at a later date pending Federal Aviation Administration, autopsy, and toxicological reports.
https://www.wjol.com
It sure will be interesting to see if the aftermarket modifications had anything to do with this but I'm guessing medical crisis event judging by his age and inability to put it down on that flat open field.
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