Amateur-built Dragonfly accident near Peoria, Illinois, October 3, 2003
On October 3, 2003 at about 3:45 pm local time, a amateur-built Dragonfly, registered N222TH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Peoria, Illinois. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of power for undetermined reasons and the inadvertent stall of the canard by the pilot on the turn to final during the forced landing, as well as the excessive descent rate causing the aircraft to "pancake" into the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 2003 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Peoria, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Dragonfly
- Registration
- N222TH · no longer on the register · serial 491
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built experimental airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he was in an en route descent when he advanced the throttle in order to level off. However, the engine did not respond and remained at idle power. His attempts to restore useful power were not successful. He set up for a forced landing. As he turned final, about 50 feet above ground level, he "felt the canard stall with its characteristic nose down bob." He reportedly pushed the nose down and "felt the canard resume flying." The pilot pulled back, raising the nose as the aircraft "pancaked into the ground." The aircraft slid approximately 300 feet on the grass before coming to rest. After the aircraft came to a stop, the pilot noted the engine was "still ticking over smoothly as it had been throughout this experience." He reported that he advanced the throttle once again to see if the engine would respond, however, it did not. A post-accident inspection was conducted. The aircraft was powered by an electronic fuel injected, rotary engine. Control continuity from the cockpit to the engine was verified and no anomalies were noted. Internal engine continuity was verified by propeller shaft/crankshaft rotation. Fuel was present at the inlet and outlet to the filter and the filter itself was clean. Fuel was present in the fuel tanks and appeared to be uncontaminated. The throttle body was intact and appeared fully functional. The manifold pressure orifices at the throttle body and the tubing from each orifice to the manifold pressure sensor was intact and unobstructed. The wiring harness between the sensor and electronic control unit (ECU), including the connectors and connector pins, appeared undamaged. The manifold pressure sensors were tested and functioned properly. The ECU controlled ignition and fuel metering to the engine. According to the manufacturer, a sensor reads manifold pressure at the throttle body. This is provided to the ECU in order to control fuel metering.
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: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 15, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 110.2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 16, 2003; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Mid-West Engines AE-110-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ENW Kenosha WI at 2:00 pm
- Destination: PIA Peoria IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from PIA, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N222TH the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.