Amateur-built RV4 accident near Elgin, Illinois, August 7, 2025
On August 7, 2025, a 2001 amateur-built RV4, registered N595BS, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Elgin, Illinois. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 7, 2025
- Place
- Elgin, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV4, built 2001
- Registration
- N595BS · registry record · serial 3
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 6, 2025, about 1925 central daylight time, a Vans RV4 airplane, N595BS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Elgin, Illinois. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that during cruise flight at 1,000 ft above ground level, he noticed an increase in electrical voltage. He turned the airplane toward the departure airport and noted the voltage indicated 20 volts before the entire instrument panel lost power, and then the engine lost power. He also noticed a small smoke plume from behind the instrument panel. The pilot made a forced landing to a golf course during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. The engine was equipped with two E-Mag electronic ignition systems. Both magnetos were retained for further examination. Devices capable of recording data were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for further analysis. The airplane was retained for further examination.
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
- Electrical system malf/failure during enroute defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise)
- Off-field or emergency landing during enroute (cruise)
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 852.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 22, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: DPA Dupage IL
- Destination: 82IS Huntley IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 6:52 pm from KDPA, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDPA 062352Z 19005KT 10SM FEW055 27/19 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP212 T02720189 10300 20272 56006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.