# NTSB CHI91LA155: Piper J3, N88441, Creston, IA, May 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Creston, IA
- Coordinates: 41.049686, -94.360565 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0497&lon=-94.3606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA155

## Probable cause

ICING IN THE INDUCTION AIR CONTROL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - induction air control/system - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING, AFTER LOSING PARTIAL ENGINE POWER DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT.  THE EXPERIMENTAL (EXHIBITION) CERTIFICATED AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE HAD BEEN EXTENSIVELY MODIFIED BY REDUCING THE WINGSPAN AND THE INSTALLATION OF AN ENGINE MODIFIED FOR FUEL INJECTED OPERATION.  NO PROVISIONS FOR INDUCTION SYSTEM HEATING OR A MEANS OF PROVIDING AN ALTERNATE AIR SOURCE WERE INCLUDED IN THE MODIFICATION.  NO DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88441](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88441), registered now, S/N 16061, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16061
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mki Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: CSQ, Creston

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910511015399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910511015399A), May 11, 1991: Piper STCJ3, Creston, IA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on final. Crashed short of runway. Modified engine lacked alternate air.

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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