# NTSB CHI00LA100: Piper J-3C, N71060, Eureka, SD, March 30, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2000, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Eureka, SD - Coordinates: 45.759548, -99.620422 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7595&lon=-99.6204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51054/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA100 ## Probable cause the foreign object (shot gun shell) which jammed the control stick. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude at which the control stick jammed and the rough terrain which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - jammed (cause) - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - foreign material/substance (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was to shoot coyotes for the South Dakota wildlife management program. The pilot began a descending left turn from an altitude of 125 feet above ground level (agl) so his passenger could take a shot at a coyote. At an altitude of about 40 feet agl he attempted to level the airplane, but was unable to pull back on the control stick. The control stick was jammed with the airplane in a nose low, left bank attitude. The pilot applied rudder and pulled the power off prior to the airplane contacting the ground. The airplane impacted the terrain and slid sideways. It contacted a badger hole which resulted in the landing gear collapsing and the left wing contacting the terrain. Inspection of the airplane revealed that a 12 gauge shot gun shell was jammed in the aft control stick preventing it from being moved. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2000, at 0845 central standard time, a Piper J-3C, N71060, operated by a commercial pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering at a low altitude. The accident occurred in Eureka, South Dakota. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Eureka, South Dakota, at 0730 cst. The pilot reported that the passenger on board the airplane worked for the State of South Dakota, Game, Fish and Park Service. He reported the purpose of the flight was to shoot coyotes for wildlife management. The pilot reported he began a descending left turn from an altitude of 125 feet above ground level (agl) so his passenger could take a shot at a coyote. He reported that at an altitude of about 40 feet agl he attempted to level the airplane, but was unable to pull back on the control stick. He reported that the stick was jammed with the airplane in a nose low, left bank attitude. The pilot reported that he applied rudder and pulled the power off prior to the airplane contacting the ground. He reported the airplane impacted the terrain and slid sideways. The airplane contacted a badger hole which resulted in the landing gear collapsing and the left wing contacting the terrain. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that a 12 gauge shot gun shell was jammed in the aft control stick preventing it from being moved. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71060](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71060), registered now, S/N 18082, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J-3C - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18082 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael D. Harmon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SD16, EUREKA, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,084 total, 697 in this make and model, 172 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.