NTSB Identification: CEN09FA111
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, January 01, 2009 in Joliet, IL
Aircraft: LANTZAIR FLYERS INC LANCAIR 360, registration: N3603R
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On January 1, 2009, at 2048 central standard time, a Lancair 360, N3603R, impacted the terrain following a loss of control while taking off on runway 12 (2,937 feet by 100 feet, dry asphalt) at the Joliet Regional Airport (JOT), Joliet, Illinois. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post impact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Watertown, Wisconsin.

The pilot landed at JOT about 1800. Another pilot who was landing around the same time stated the accident pilot asked him over the radio if he could land first as he was low on fuel. Both airplanes subsequently landed. JOT was closed due to the holiday, and fuel services were not available. After landing, the accident pilot told several people that he landed with four gallons of fuel on board and that he needed to find fuel so that he could continue his flight to Wisconsin. On January 2, 2009, a note and money were found inside a Cessna 172 belonging to the fixed base operator at JOT. The note read, “We were stuck and needed 5 gal of 100LL from your left wing tank. Here is $30. Thanks.” When the Cessna was fueled after the note was found, it was determined that there were 21.1 gallons of fuel missing.

The main wreckage was located in the grass on the north side of the taxiway which parallels the north side of runway 12. The position of the wreckage was approximately 1,800 from the departure end of the runway. The magnetic heading of the debris path from initial impact to the main wreckage was 84 degrees. The initial impact ground scar was located approximately 96 feet north of the runway in an area of grass between the runway and parallel taxiway. This narrow impact mark was approximately 27 feet long and it contained pieces of red glass. The next impact area contained two slashes marks, one of which contained a red paint transfer. These marks were followed by pieces of canopy and debris which led up the south edge of the taxiway. A scattering of wreckage was present across the taxiway. Scorched terrain was visible beginning on the northern half of the taxiway up to and approximately 70 feet beyond the location of the main wreckage. The main wreckage came to rest inverted, approximately 140 feet from the north edge of the taxiway.

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