# NTSB CHI89MA095: Douglas DC3C-S13CG, N47CE, Waterman, IL, May 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1989, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Waterman, IL
- Location: 41.7656° N, 88.7631° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waterman, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7656&lon=-88.7631&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89MA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89MA095

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION WHILE TRAINING THE COPILOT AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL/SPIN, THEN DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM THE SPIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  USE OF EXCESSIVE ELEVATOR TRIM, THE PIC'S LACK OF TRAINING (IN APPROACHES TO STALLS) AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE/MODEL OF AIRCRAFT, AND THE COPILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE/MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed
  - airspeed - reduced
  - elevator trim - excessive (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47CE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47CE-1989-09-12), registration cancelled 1989-09-12, S/N 13456 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC3C-S13CG
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3C-S1C3G](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3c-s1c3g) (registry code 3021458) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13456
- Airframe hours: 17177
- Engines: P&W R-2000-7M2-D5 1500 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Condor Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 20, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: ARR, SUGAR GROVE, IL
- Destination: ARR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 2,531 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 25 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 19890522012059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890522012059A), May 22, 1989: Doug DC3C, Waterman, IL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Stalled and entered spin to ground impact during training stall maneuvers. PIC had minimum time in type.

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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