# NTSB CHI81FER50: Piper J4A, N32880, Elgin, MN, July 6, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 6, 1981
- Place: Elgin, MN · ELGIN, MN
- Location: 44.1292° N, 92.2544° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elgin, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1292&lon=-92.2544&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FER50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FER50

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1331   81/7/6    ELGIN,MN            PIPER J4A           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 275
        TIME - 2000                    N32880              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 177 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PRIVATE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELGIN,MN                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: MAIN GEAR-SHOCK ABSORBING ASSY,STRUTS,ATTACHMENTS,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        REMARKS- RETAINER PIN & OLEO PISTON ON R MAIN GEAR BCM WORN.PIN FELL OUT,R GEAR CAME LOOSE.DMG DRG LNDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32880](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32880), registered now, S/N 4-1318, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J4A
- Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Private

## 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 19810706038519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810706038519A), Jul 6, 1981: Piper J4A, Elgin, MN, Substantial damage. Landing gear oleo strut came apart during takeoff. Aircraft gear collapsed and airplane nosed over during landing.

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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