Introduction
On June 26, 2016, about 1545 central daylight time, a Cessna 182, registration N5792B, collided with terrain during a forced landing in a corn field south of the Greater Kankakee Airport (IKK), Kankakee, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Jacquin Aviation, Inc., as a skydiving flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan.
Flight Details
The flight originated from IKK about 1515. The pilot reported that the accident occurred on the fourth flight of the day. After dropping the skydivers, he returned to the airport and lined up to land on runway 16, which he had previously used.
Accident Sequence
During the approach, the pilot noticed that the wind direction had changed, resulting in a tailwind. He initiated a go-around from an altitude of about 200 ft above ground level. He raised the flaps to 30° and advanced the throttle. According to the pilot, there was an initial surge in power, then the engine stopped developing power. The pilot made a right turn and landed the airplane in a corn field on the south side of the airport.
Post-Accident Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector arrived on scene as the pilot was draining fuel from the airplane. The pilot drained about 7 gallons of fuel. The FAA inspector observed some fuel in the carburetor bowl when he removed the plug, but the gascolator was empty. No other anomalies were noted that would have resulted in a loss of engine power.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported using carburetor heat during the landing approach and turning it off when he initiated the go-around. He speculated that the low level of fuel most likely unported during his rapid spiraling descent after dropping the skydivers, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine.