# NTSB CHI80FA025: Piper PA-22, N3747A, Princeton, IL, February 2, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 2, 1980
- Place: Princeton, IL · PRINCETON, IL
- Location: 41.3805° N, 89.4641° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Princeton, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3805&lon=-89.4641&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80FA025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FA025

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0415   80/2/2  NR.PRINCETON,IL       PIPER PA-22         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 83 TOTAL
        TIME - 1230                    N3747A              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WAUKESHA,WI                 WARRENSBURG,MO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: BRACING WIRES,STRUTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- RIGHT FRONT LIFT STRUT FORKEND,PN14481-00,FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3747A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3747A-1982-07-22), registration cancelled 1982-07-22, S/N 22-1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800202001769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800202001769A), Feb 2, 1980: Piper PA22135, Princeton, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wing strut attach fitting failed in flight. Found fatigue crack. Used strut installed had reached maximum hours.

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.

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