# NTSB CHI83FA437: Jilek-Smith Miniplane DSA-M3, N2441Q, Rush City, MN, September 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1983, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Rush City, MN
- Coordinates: 45.680713, -92.960449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6807&lon=-92.9604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA437
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA437

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - flt control syst,elevator control - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,alignment - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,rudder control - other
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PERFORMING A HIGH SPEED TAXI TEST ON RWY 33 WHEN THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE. AFTER LIFT-OFF, IT CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF APRX 50 FT & WENT INTO A LEFT TURN. IT CONTINUED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE UNTIL IT TURNED ABOUT 180 DEG THEN CRASHED. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM NORTH TO WEST AT 5 TO  25 KNOTS & WAS VERY GUSTY. HE BELIEVED THE ACFT ENCOUNTER A GUST OF WIND WHICH CAUSED THE ACFT TO BECOME AIRBORNE. HE STATED THAT THE PLT THEN APPLIEDFULL POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN CONTROL, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE NOSE SUFFICIENTLY TO GAIN FLYING SPEED. ALSO, HE SAID THE ACFT IMPACTED WITH THE LEFT WING & NOSE SLIGHTLY LOW. ANOTHER WITNESS STATED THAT AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE ACFT SEEMED TO HANG ON THE PROP IN A STALLED CONDITION. AN EXAM OF THE FLT CONTROLS WAS MADE & THE RIGHT RUDDER CABLE WAS FOUND OFF OF THE RIGHT AFT PULLEY. ALSO, THE CONTROL STICK WOULD MOVE FORWARD OF THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHEN THE ELEVATORS WERE POSITIONED TO NEUTRAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2441Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2441Q-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 1003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JILEK-SMITH MINIPLANE DSA-M3
- Registry model: [Jilek Joseph Robert DSA-M3](https://openairdocs.org/model/jilek-joseph-robert-dsa-m3) (registry code 8350243) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1003
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph R. Jilek
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 30, 1978, 0 hours before
- Airport: 54Y, Rush City Muni, runway 33, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 169 total, 129 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 18 statute miles
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 30 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 19830921050079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830921050079A), Sep 21, 1983: Amtrsm DSA1, Rush City, MN, Substantial damage. Became airborne on a taxi test. Stalled due to pilot inexperience. Aft CG, control adjustment and gusty downwind.

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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