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NTSB Report
January 5, 1984 · Piper J3C-65 · N98322
Elm Springs, SD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 5, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Elm Springs, SD
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N98322
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN84FA064
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN98322
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-8FJ · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind335° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC