# NTSB CHI89LA184: Douglas DC-3A, N143JR, Columbus, IN, September 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1989, 02:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, IN
- Coordinates: 39.230247, -85.829666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2302&lon=-85.8297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA184

## Probable cause

THE CO-PILOT'S FAILURE TO RELINQUISH CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT TO THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AFTER ENCOUNTERING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DIFFICULTIES DURING ROLL-OUT, AND EXCESSIVE BRAKING BY THE CO-PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - relinquishing of control - not followed, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, copilot/second pilot (cause)

## Analysis

COPILOT MADE INSTRUMENT APPROACH AND LANDING, EXPERIENCED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DIFFICULTIES ON ROLL OUT. PILOT IN COMMAND ASSUMED CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT AND STATED SUCH. COPILOT APPLIED EXCESSIVE BRAKING, AND NOSE OF AIRCRAFT STRUCK RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N143JR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 199S
- Airframe hours: 51749
- Engines: P&W R-1830-S1C3G 1050 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rhoades Int'L, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 30, 1989, 37 hours before
- Departed: DAY, DAYTON, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BAK, Columbus Muni, runway 23, 6,401 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,200 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 12,190 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 40 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 19890915035019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890915035019A), Sep 15, 1989: Doug DC3AS1C3G, Columbus, IN, Substantial damage. Copilot had directional difficulties on landing. Captain took over but copilot failed to release brakes.

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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