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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 30, 2000 · Piper J-3C · N71060

Eureka, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Eureka, SD
Aircraft
Piper J-3C
Tail Number
N71060
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA100

The purpose of the flight was to shoot coyotes for the South Dakota wildlife management program. The pilot began a descending left turn from an altitude of 125 feet above ground level (agl) so his passenger could take a shot at a coyote. At an altitude of about 40 feet agl he attempted to level the airplane, but was unable to pull back on the control stick. The control stick was jammed with the airplane in a nose low, left bank attitude. The pilot applied rudder and pulled the power off prior to the airplane contacting the ground. The airplane impacted the terrain and slid sideways. It contacted a badger hole which resulted in the landing gear collapsing and the left wing contacting the terrain. Inspection of the airplane revealed that a 12 gauge shot gun shell was jammed in the aft control stick preventing it from being moved.

NTSB Probable Cause

the foreign object (shot gun shell) which jammed the control stick. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude at which the control stick jammed and the rough terrain which the airplane contacted.

Full Narrative

On March 30, 2000, at 0845 central standard time, a Piper J-3C, N71060, operated by a commercial pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering at a low altitude. The accident occurred in Eureka, South Dakota. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Eureka, South Dakota, at 0730 cst. The pilot reported that the passenger on board the airplane worked for the State of South Dakota, Game, Fish and Park Service. He reported the purpose of the flight was to shoot coyotes for wildlife management. The pilot reported he began a descending left turn from an altitude of 125 feet above ground level (agl) so his passenger could take a shot at a coyote. He reported that at an altitude of about 40 feet agl he attempted to level the airplane, but was unable to pull back on the control stick. He reported that the stick was jammed with the airplane in a nose low, left bank attitude. The pilot reported that he applied rudder and pulled the power off prior to the airplane contacting the ground. He reported the airplane impacted the terrain and slid sideways. The airplane contacted a badger hole which resulted in the landing gear collapsing and the left wing contacting the terrain. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that a 12 gauge shot gun shell was jammed in the aft control stick preventing it from being moved.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J-3C
Tail NumberN71060
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data