Huebbe SONEX HB N244HB

Summary

On 26 October 2014 at about 20:50 local time, a Huebbe SONEX HB registered N244HB was involved in an accident near Plainview, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 October 2014 at 20:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Plainview, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

39.1201, -90.0395

Aircraft

Huebbe SONEX HB

Registration

N244HB

Category

Airplane

Year built

2010

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Taylorville → St. Charles

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA028

1 person died.

The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot and a sport pilot-rated passenger were conducting a personal cross-country flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane, which was powered by an uncertified automotive engine. The airplane was in cruise flight when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot(s) attempted a forced landing on a field, during which the airplane nosed over. The wreckage path through the field was about 200 ft long, which was consistent with excessive energy/speed upon touchdown. A review of maintenance logbook entries revealed that the engine had been assembled by the owner and that the camshaft and crankshaft had been removed when work was performed on the engine about 3 years before the accident. Postaccident examination of the engine indicated that the crankshaft had fractured due to a fatigue crack that had initiated at a fillet radius at the forward end of the No. 2 main bearing journal where the journal transitioned to the forward cheek. The cause of the fatigue crack could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.