Rockwell International 112A accident near Metropolis, Illinois, May 10, 2009
On May 10, 2009 at about 7:50 pm local time, a Rockwell International 112A, registered N1348J, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Metropolis, Illinois. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2009 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Metropolis, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International 112A · all 112As on the register
- Registration
- N1348J · no longer on the register · serial 348
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power about 2,100 feet above ground level while in cruise flight. The loss of engine power occurred within 10 minutes of departure. The pilot’s corrective actions were unsuccessful in reestablishing engine power and he ultimately performed a forced landing into a muddy field. During touchdown the landing gear collapsed and separated from the airplane. Before the accident flight the airplane had been serviced with 20 gallons of fuel, evenly distributed between both wing fuel tanks. After the accident the right fuel tank contained about 13 gallons of fuel. The left tank contained no fuel, but the lower inboard portion of the tank had been damaged when the left main landing gear separated from the wing. A postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Inoperative
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Wet/muddy › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Main landing gear › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 182 hours in all; 57 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 182 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 14, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,056 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 12, 2009; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: M30 Metropolis IL at 7:39 pm
- Destination: M30 Metropolis IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from M30, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.