# NTSB CHI73FEE49: Piper PA-28R, N9430N, Elgin, IL, April 4, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 4, 1973
- Place: Elgin, IL · ELGIN, IL
- Location: 42.0372° N, 88.2812° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elgin, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0372&lon=-88.2812&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 170336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI73FEE49
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEE49

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0706   73/4/4    ELGIN,ILL           PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 491
        TIME - 1145                    N9430N              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 388 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ELGIN AIRPORT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELGIN,ILL                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: VENTS,DRAINS,TANK CAPS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- 22OZ WATER DRAINED FROM L FUEL TANK.IMPROPER SEAL BTWN FUEL CAP SEAL AND FILLER NECK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9430N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9430N), registered now, S/N 28R-35142, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Elgin Airport

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19730404007419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730404007419A), Apr 4, 1973: Piper PA28R200, Elgin, IL, Destroyed. 22OZ water drained from l fuel tank. Improper seal btwn fuel cap seal and filler neck.

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.