# NTSB CHI83FA346: Piper J3C-65, N27020, Lily Lake, IL, August 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1983, 20:10 local (Aug 2, 1983, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Lily Lake, IL
- Coordinates: 41.900199, -88.59056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9002&lon=-88.5906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA346

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT A NEIGHBOR HAD FLOWN THE ACFT EARLIER IN THE DAY & HAD PROBLEMS ADJUSTING THE ELEVATOR TRIM WHEN AIRBORNE. THE PLT STATED THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, HE CHECKED THE TRIM, BUT IT WORKED NORMALLY, SO HE SET IT FOR CRUISE & MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF. WHILE TURNING TO A X-WIND LEG, HE TRIED TO ADJUST THE ELEVATOR TRIM, BUT IT WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE PLT THEN TRIED TO RELIEVE THE AIRLOAD ON THE STABILIZOR BY PULLING BACK ON THE STICK TO GO INTO A CLIMB, THEN RELEASING THE BACK PRESSURE TO PUT THE ACFT IN A NEAR ZERO 'G' CONDITION. HE WAS STILL UNABLE TO MOVE THE TRIM. THE PLT PULLED UP AGAIN, BUT A LITTLE HARDER. HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE ACFT STALLED & WENT INTO A SPIN. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN POSITION, BUT NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS DETECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27020](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27020), registered now, S/N 4305 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4305
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Newhouse Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983
- Departed: MAPLE PARK, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,500 total, 525 in this make and model, 1,305 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 11 nm away

## 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 19830801039599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830801039599A), Aug 1, 1983: Piper J3C*, Lily Lake, IL, Substantial damage. Pilot reported aircraft stalled and spun while maneuvering to free a stuck elevator trim. No discrepancies found.

## Other investigations on N27020 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC67D0285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0285), Nov 21, 1966: Piper J-3 (N27020), Bonner Sprgs, KS, substantial damage

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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