Beech B24R accident near New Lenox, Illinois, May 13, 2021
On May 13, 2021 at about 4:17 pm local time, a 1975 Beech B24R, registered N9199S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near New Lenox, Illinois (Lewis University airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the pilot’s improper fueling of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2021 · about 4:17 pm local time
- Place
- New Lenox, Illinois · Lewis University · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B24R, built 1975 · all B24Rs on the register
- Registration
- N9199S · no longer on the register · serial MC-371
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Fuel contamination during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 128.7 hours in all; 30.5 in this make and model; 11.5 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 68.6 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 13, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,843.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 2, 2020; 85.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO360-A1B6 (piston); 1,416 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LOT Romeoville IL at 4:11 pm
- Destination: EYE Indianapolis IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 2, 6,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.42 inHg
- Observation at 11:16 am from LOT, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN21LA219.