# NTSB MIA83LA091: Gray J-3 Trainer, N1391P, Lakeland, FL, March 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1983, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Location: 27.9876° N, 82.0190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKELAND LINDER INTL (LAL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9876&lon=-82.0190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - landing gear,axle - bent (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - jammed (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING TO ENTER THE ULTRALIGHT LANDING AREA ON THE ARPT DURING AN EAA FLY-IN, THE ELEVATOR BECAME JAMMED IN THE DOWN POSITION WHEN A BOLT IN THE LINKAGE BECAME JAMMED AGAINST THE WHEEL AXLE WHICH HAD BEEN BENT IN A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO CRASH LAND USING POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1391P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1391P-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 1, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRAY J-3 TRAINER (J-3 TRAINE)
- Registry model: [Gray Bruce E J-3 TRAINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/gray-bruce-e-j-3-trainer) (registry code 05647MG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Airframe hours: 94
- Engines: ROTAX 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce E. Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 438 total, 94 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 30 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 19830313009139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830313009139A), Mar 13, 1983: Amtr J3TRAINER, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Elevators became jammed in nose down position. Crash landed short of runway. Linkage bolt jammed against wheel axle.

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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