# NTSB CHI82FEE14: Douglas DC-3A, N129H, Sandwich, IL, May 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1982, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Sandwich, IL
- Location: 41.6501° N, 88.6190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sandwich, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6501&lon=-88.6190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FEE14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FEE14

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER RETURNING FROM A PARACHUTE JUMPING FLIGHT, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE 1800 FT GRASS RUNWAY. A 3000 FT ASPHALT RUNWAY WAS AVAILABLE, BUT HE HAD BEEN USING THE GRASS RUNWAY TO AVOID WEAR ON THE TIRES. THERE WAS A 30 FT POWERLINE AT THE APPROACH END OF THE GRASS RUNWAY AND THE SOD WAS WET. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS LIGHT RAIN AND THE WIND WAS CALM. REPORTEDLY, THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 200 FT FROM THE APPROACH END, BUT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED OFF THE END AND COLLIDED WITH BRUSH AND TREES. THE COMPUTED LANDING DISTANCE OVER A 50 FT OBSTACLE ON A HARD RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 1500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N129H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N129H), registered now, S/N 4126, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3A
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3a) (registry code 3021433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4126
- Airframe hours: 51696
- Engines: P&W R-1830 1350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Mark J. Borghorst
- Registered owner: Mark J. Borghorst
- Departed: SANDWICH, IL
- Destination: SANDWICH, IL
- Airport: Sandwich, runway 18, 1,800 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,020 total, 1,941 in this make and model, 2,850 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820529021329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820529021329A), May 29, 1982: Doug DC3A, Sandwich, IL, Substantial damage. Unable to stop on 1800 foot wet grass runway. Ran into trees. Aircraft needed 1500 feet on a dry runway.

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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