Accident Overview
On June 28, 2025, at approximately 0934 central daylight time, a Vans RV-10 airplane, registration N847CS, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Capron, Illinois. The pilot and flight instructor sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight for the pilot to complete a flight review.
Flight Path
According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed runway 23 at Waukegan National Airport (UGN), Waukegan, Illinois, at 0909:06. After takeoff, it flew west, climbing to about 3,300 ft mean sea level (msl), where the flight track indicated maneuvers consistent with flight reviews. Following the maneuvers, the airplane continued westward until 0931:53, when it entered a right descending turn from about 3,000 ft msl. Over the next 1 minute 40 seconds, it completed two 360° turns while descending. Beginning at 0933:33, the airplane flew northwest briefly before descending further. At 0934:03, it crossed Capron Road on an east heading. The final ADS-B data at 0934:05 showed the airplane at about 315 ft above ground level (agl) and 154 ft west of the accident site, with a decelerated speed of approximately 54 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS) and a descent rate of about 2,850 feet per minute.
Impact and Wreckage
No witnesses were reported. The airplane impacted a cornfield on a west heading, creating a generally circular corn damage pattern consistent with the airplane's wingspan. The impact crater and minimal lateral corn damage indicated a steep nose-down pitch attitude at impact. All structural components and flight control surfaces were present at the site. Elevator and aileron flight control continuity could not be confirmed due to impact damage, but observed separations were consistent with overstress. Rudder cable continuity was confirmed from the cockpit pedals to the rudder control horn. Both flaps remained attached, but the flap setting was not determined due to damage.
Fuel and Engine Examination
Both wing fuel tanks ruptured, but fuel blight was observed on surrounding corn leaves. Residual fuel was found in the fuel system components. The engine-driven fuel pump discharged fuel when hand-operated, and the fuel servo's inlet screen was clean and wet. The fuel flow transducer was undamaged and allowed unrestricted airflow. The engine was partially buried; a visual exam showed no crankcase or cylinder fractures. Internal continuity was confirmed via crankshaft rotation, with compression and suction on all six cylinders. Unquantified oil remained in the sump; the oil filter was separated. The engine was equipped with two electronic magnetos that were not tested. Spark plugs exhibited normal operation features. The fuel distribution system showed impact damage but the injectors were clear and properly installed. The engine examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.
Propeller
The two-blade propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. One blade was buried in soil, exhibiting an S-shaped spanwise bend, chordwise scratches, burnishing, and leading-edge damage. The other blade was relatively straight with minor chordwise scratches.
Post-Accident Actions
The airplane's damaged primary flight display, multifunction display, electronic attitude indicator, and digital navigation/communication device were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory for examination and possible data extraction. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location.