# NTSB CHI91DEV02: O'Connell Stits SA-3B, N2821, Casey, IL, July 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1991, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Casey, IL
- Coordinates: 39.299133, -87.980895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2991&lon=-87.9809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEV02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEV02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN MODEL.

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT PURCHASED AN INACTIVE, HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE, THREE YEARS OUT OF INSPECTION.  THE OWNER TOOK THE AIRPLANE FOR A TRIAL FLIGHT WITH ANOTHER STUDENT PILOT AS PASSENGER.  ON THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO A BEAN FIELD AT THE DEPARTURE END.  THE OWNER REPORTED NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE, AND NONE WAS FOUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - crop
  - proper climb rate - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2821 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: O'CONNELL STITS SA-3B (STITS SA-3)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: TO 452
- Airframe hours: 165
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290G 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeff G. Shott
- Registered owner: Harold R. Parker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: 1HB, CASEY, IL
- Airport: 1H8, Casey Muni, runway 36, 1,965 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 10 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF, 38 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 19910718027909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910718027909A), Jul 18, 1991: Amtrsa STITSSA3B, Casey, IL, Substantial damage. After takeoff settled into bean field. Nosed over,both pilots student permits. Last annual 1987.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.