Grumman C-1A accident near Roseville, Illinois, August 18, 2002
On August 18, 2002 at about 10:34 pm local time, a Grumman C-1A, registered N189G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Roseville, Illinois. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure and the resulting separation of the engine cylinder, which severed both electrical propeller control systems on the affected engine. A factor to the accident was the cornfield.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 18, 2002 · about 10:34 pm local time
- Place
- Roseville, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman C-1A
- Registration
- N189G · registry record · serial 146044
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in cruise flight, the number one cylinder separated from the right engine, resulting in a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to feather the right propeller because both electrical propeller control systems were compromised when the cylinder separated from the engine. The pilot performed a gear-up forced landing into a cornfield.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,867 hours in all; 188 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days; 4,619 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 22, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,459 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 2, 2002; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 24,500 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming R-1820-82B (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming R-1820-82B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SBN South Bend IN at 9:00 pm
- Destination: TOP Topeka KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 10:25 pm from MQB, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.