# NTSB CHI82DA360: Navy N3N-3, N51H, Danville, IL, September 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1982, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Danville, IL
- Location: 40.1426° N, 87.6107° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Danville, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1426&lon=-87.6107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA360
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA360

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - inadequate (cause)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - unlocked (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,wheel - overload
  - landing gear,wheel - separation

## Analysis

UPON ARRIVING AT AN AIR SHOW THE PLT WAS GIVEN ADVISORIES FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY GROUND-LOOPED. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE TAILWHEEL LOCK HAD ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE CENTERING SPRING WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONSISTENTLY CENTER THE TAILWHEEL POST SO THAT THE LOCK PIN COULD ENTER. IN ADDITION, THE COMPRESSION SPRING WAS TOO WEAK TO FORCE THE LOCK PIN INTO PLACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51H), registered now, S/N 2660, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVY N3N-3
- Registry model: [Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/naval-aircraft-factory-n3n-3) (registry code 6120202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright 760A B D E&ET](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-760a-b-d-e-et) (registry code 67009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2660
- Engines: WRIGHT R-760 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bernard Karsh
- Registered owner: Bernard Karsh
- Departed: URBANA, IL
- Destination: DANVILLE, IL
- Airport: DVN, Vermillion County, runway 16, 3,999 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,486 total, 24 in this make and model, 4,105 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F

## 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 19820919048609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820919048609A), Sep 19, 1982: Naval N3N3, Danville, IL, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control of aircraft during landing. Tail wheel centering spring malfunctioned.

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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