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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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NTSB Report

July 22, 1995 · Piper J3C · N5985V

Englewood, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Englewood, CO
Aircraft
Piper J3C
Tail Number
N5985V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA312

DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE, A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT SELECTED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SUITABLE SITE FOR A FORCED LANDING. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED IN ROUGH TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF A STUCK NUMBER FOUR EXHAUST VALVE.

NTSB Probable Cause

A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO A STUCK NUMBER FOUR EXHAUST VALVE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

On July 22, 1995, at 1202 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N5985V, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing approximately 1 mile from Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, when he reduced power following initial climb, the engine decelerated to about 1,500 rpm and began to produce black exhaust smoke. He could not achieve any more power so he said he shut down the engine and selected what appeared to be a suitable off airport landing site. During landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed. The left lower longeron, propeller, belly skins, and landing gear sustained damage. The pilot said the terrain was rougher than it appeared. The engine was examined by Jensen Aircraft, Salida, Colorado. According to the person who conducted the examination, he found the number four exhaust valve stuck in the open position. His statement is attached.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:02 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C
Tail NumberN5985V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data