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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 3, 1983 · Piper J-3 · N99163

Rockford, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rockford, IL
Aircraft
Piper J-3
Tail Number
N99163
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI83LA411

THE PLT STATED THE ENGINE QUIT, SPUTTERED AND QUIT AGAIN BEFORE HE LANDED IN A BEAN FEILD AND NOSED OVER. PLT WHO IS ALSO AN A&P MECHANIC HAD BEEN USING SLOSHING/SEALING COMPOUND (RANDOLPH TANK SEALER #802) IN THE FUEL TANK. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE COMPOUND WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINE AND ON THE FUEL STRAINER. THE COMPOUND WAS BOUGHT IN 1980 ANDWAS DATED 12-9-78. THE FAILURE OF THE COMPOUND TO ADHEAR TO THE FUEL TANK WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE STALENESS OF THE COMPOUND.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THE ENGINE QUIT, SPUTTERED AND QUIT AGAIN BEFORE HE LANDED IN A BEAN FEILD AND NOSED OVER. PLT WHO IS ALSO AN A&P MECHANIC HAD BEEN USING SLOSHING/SEALING COMPOUND (RANDOLPH TANK SEALER #802) IN THE FUEL TANK. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE COMPOUND WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINE AND ON THE FUEL STRAINER. THE COMPOUND WAS BOUGHT IN 1980 ANDWAS DATED 12-9-78. THE FAILURE OF THE COMPOUND TO ADHEAR TO THE FUEL TANK WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE STALENESS OF THE COMPOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CDT
Nearest Airport7nm NW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J-3
Tail NumberN99163
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 9 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data