Beechcraft B24R N9199S

Summary

On 13 May 2021 at about 16:17 local time, a Beechcraft B24R registered N9199S was involved in an accident near New Lenox, Illinois, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured, 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

13 May 2021 at 16:17

Classification

Accident

Location

New Lenox, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Lewis University (LOT)

Coordinates

41.5524, -87.9806

Aircraft

Beechcraft B24R

Registration

N9199S

Category

Airplane

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Romeoville → Indianapolis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA219

3 people were seriously injured.

The total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the pilot’s improper fueling of the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot fueled the airplane using containers kept in the flying club hangar. Unknown to the pilot, one of the containers contained water, which he added to the left fuel tank. He noted that no water was observed when the fuel tanks were sumped as part of the preflight inspection; although, there was likely insufficient time for the water to settle out. The engine run-up, takeoff, and initial climb were conducted with the right fuel tank selected and were routine. However, when the pilot changed to the left fuel tank during the climb, the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing to an interstate highway. About 2-1/2 gallons of water were drained from the left fuel tank following the accident. No water was detected in the right fuel tank. No anomalies with respect to the engine assembly or the airframe fuel system were observed. An individual associated with the flying club reported that he was cleaning an airplane in the hangar the day before the accident. He had used a fuel container to get water and marked it, “water for cleaning.” At the end of the day, he left the container next to the airplane with the intention of continuing the next day. There were 2 to 3 gallons of water in the container at the time.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.