# NTSB CHI84LA384: Harris Goldwing, N3958C, Greenville, IL, September 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1984, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, IL
- Coordinates: 38.879615, -89.400688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8796&lon=-89.4007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA384
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA384

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT WAS PERFORMING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS BELOW 1100 FT OVERCAST SKY. PASSING NORTH END OF FIELD AT 800 FT, PLT NOTED RAIN SHOWER AT SOUTH END & ELECTED TO LAND TO THE SOUTH. DURING APCH TURN THE LEFT WING DROPPED ABRUPTLY TO A NEAR-INVERTED ACFT ATTITUDE. PLT APPLIED FULL PWR AND CORRECTIVE CONTROL INPUTS BUT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH MUDDY TERRAINBEFORE RECOVERY WAS COMPLETED. PLT CITED WIND SHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3958C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HARRIS GOLDWING
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 385
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: CUYUNA 430D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald L. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1984, 16 hours before
- Departed: GRE, GREENVILLE, IL
- Airport: GRE, Greenville, runway 18, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 623 total, 16 in this make and model, 546 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °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 19840909047599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840909047599A), Sep 9, 1984: Amtr GOLDWING, Greenville, IL, Substantial damage. Pilot mishandled aircraft during descending turn to runway. Possible gusts from rainshowers south of airport.

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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