# NTSB DEN84FA064: Piper J3C-65, N98322, Elm Springs, SD, January 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1984, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Elm Springs, SD
- Location: 44.3133° N, 102.5277° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elm Springs, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3133&lon=-102.5277&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING ALONG A RIVER BOTTOM LOOKING FOR STRAY CATTLE WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE GROUND. HE RECEIVED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY & COULD NOT RECALL DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT HE BELIEVED THAT HE WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE WHILE AT SLOW SPEED. RESCUE PERSONNEL FOUND THE PLT IN A SEMI-CONSCIOUS CONDITION. THE DECEASED PASSENGER WAS FOUND LYING OUTSIDE THE RIGHT COCKPIT DOOR. THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY OBTAINED A STUDENT CERTIFICATE (MANY YEARS AG0), BUT HAD NOT GOTTEN A PRIVATE CERTIFICATE. HIS CLASS III MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98322](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98322-1988-08-15), registration cancelled 1988-08-15, S/N 18487 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18487
- Airframe hours: 1751
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8FJ 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell Burmeister
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1983, 250 hours before
- Departed: PVT, ELM SPRINGS, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 335° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19840105000019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840105000019A), Jan 5, 1984: Piper J3C65, Elm Springs, SD, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Near vertical ground impact. Pilot stated he was looking for a stray cow at 100 ft AGL. Indicates a stall occurred.

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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