# NTSB FTW83LA236: Piper J3, N42563, Sherrill, AR, May 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1983, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Sherrill, AR
- Location: 34.3793° N, 91.9544° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sherrill, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3793&lon=-91.9544&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel supply - improper, company/operator management (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER ON AN EMERGENCY DOWNWIND LANDING IN A WET RICE FIELD AFTER AN ENG FAILURE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG FAILED AS A RESULT OF WATER IN THE FUEL. THE OPERATOR SERVICES HIS ACFT FROM A PRIVATE UNDERGROUND FUEL STORAGE TANK. AS A RESULT OF RECENT HEAVY RAINS, A LARGE QUANTITY OF WATER HAD ACCUMULATED. ANOTHER ACFT OWNED BY THE OPERATOR WAS CHECKED & WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN A HIGH VOLUME OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42563](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42563-2016-08-17), registration cancelled 2016-08-17, S/N 14844, built 1945 (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: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14844
- Airframe hours: 7715
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ag Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1983, 25 hours before
- Departed: PBF, PINEVILLE, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 24,000 total, 21,000 in this make and model, 24,000 as pilot in command, 335 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 325° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19830516019579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830516019579A), May 16, 1983: Piper J3, Sherrill, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to water in fuel. Nosed over landing in a soft field

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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