# NTSB CHI85FEV02: de Havilland DH-82A, N510AB, Elmore, IL, August 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1985, 12:12 local (17:12 UTC)
- Place: Elmore, IL
- Location: 40.9567° N, 89.9771° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elmore, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9567&lon=-89.9771&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEV02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEV02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - failure,total

## Analysis

WHILE ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PROP CONTINUED TO WINDMILL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED DURING AN EMERG LANDING. DURING THE CRASH LANDING, THE PLT'S SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED AT THE UPPER ATTACHMENT POINT & HE RECEIVED HEAD & BACK INJURIES. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE 2ND & AFT EXHAUST VALVES WERE STICKING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N510AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N510AB-1992-11-20), registration cancelled 1992-11-20, S/N DE253 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DH-82A
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: DE253
- Airframe hours: 2407
- Engines: Bristol GYPSY MAJ 1C 120 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur Joseph Bujnowski
- Registered owner: Arthur J. Bujnowski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1985, 57 hours before
- Departed: 5C2, BLAKESBURG, IA
- Destination: C75, LACON, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 24,050 total, 40 in this make and model, 23,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PIA

## 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 19850817039309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850817039309A), Aug 17, 1985: Dhavxx DH82AROBRTSN, Elmore, IL, Substantial damage. Hard landing made after engine quit in flight. One exhaust valve would stick open. Front cylinders crash damaged.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.