Amateur-built RV-3 accident near Jacksonville, Illinois, July 21, 2021
On July 21, 2021 at about 5:11 pm local time, a 1978 amateur-built RV-3, registered N3S, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Jacksonville, Illinois (Jacksonville Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper flare during landing which resulted in an attempted go-around, loss of control, and aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2021 · about 5:11 pm local time
- Place
- Jacksonville, Illinois · Jacksonville Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-3, built 1978
- Registration
- N3S · no longer on the register · serial 292
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had just purchased the airplane and was landing after completing his first leg of a cross-country flight. The pilot stated that he flared the airplane too early and it bounced twice on the runway. The pilot then elected to perform a go-around; however, he forgot to retract the flaps. The pilot applied full engine power, the airplane turned to the left, and stalled over the grass terrain adjacent to the runway. The airplane impacted terrain, came to rest upright, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing, The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 759.4 hours in all; 1.5 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: November 13, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,118 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 6, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SER (piston); 570 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RCM Warrensburg MO at 2:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13/3, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 11:57 am from KIJX
Weather report (METAR): KIJX 211657Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN025 BKN031 28/23 A3013 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 27, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N3S the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.