Piper J-3C accident near Morris, IL
On May 26, 1998, a Piper J-3C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Morris, IL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 26, 1998
- Place
- Morris, IL
- Aircraft
- Piper J-3C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 41.361°N, 88.421°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X09998
NTSB summary
On May 25, 1998, at 2005 central daylight time (All times CDT), a Piper J-3C, N24743, operated by the Littlefield Aeroplane Corporation, was destroyed when it impacted the ground in a wheat field about five miles south of Morris, Illinois. Witnesses reported that the airplane was maneuvering at low altitude when it went into a right bank before impacting the ground. The commercially rated pilot was fatally injured and the airline transport rated second pilot received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Morris Airport, Morris, Illinois, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. A witness reported that he had talked with the pilots at the Morris Airport at about 1900. He reported the pilots had ordered fuel for the airplane. A fuel receipt indicated that 6.5 gallons of fuel was put in the airplane. The witness reported he observed the airplane depart at approximately 1935 to the southwest at 500 to 600 feet above ground level (agl). A witness who was working in his fields driving a tractor reported observing the airplane near Dupont Road approximately five minutes prior to the accident. He reported the airplane was flying low, about tree top level, and flying from east to west. He reported the airplane climbed to 400 to 500 feet agl, and then turned south and crossed the power lines. He reported that he saw the airplane one to two minutes later, flying to the east. He reported the airplane's altitude was about the height of the power line towers. Another witness reported he observed the airplane banki
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during low altitude flight.
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Browse: Illinois · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
