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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

May 2, 1999 · Piper J3C-65 · N3732C

Claremore, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1999
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Claremore, OK
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N3732C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW99LA129

The pilot rated passenger (PRP) was flying the airplane from the rear seat, and was on final approach to land to the north at a grass strip. The PRP turned the airplane to the northeast when he observed an ultralight departing the grass strip to the south. At that point the commercial pilot in the front seat took control of the airplane and pitched the airplane's 'nose up to climb a little and reduce speed.' He was turning the airplane left from downwind to base when the airplane's 'nose pitched down sharply and impacted the ground.' The pilot reported that as the airplane turned, the 'engine died,' and he continued turning toward an open area. Examination of the wreckage revealed that one propeller blade 'exhibited evidence of power.' There were also deep gouges in the ground that 'appear to be propeller slashes.' Continuity was established to all flight controls. The PRP stated that 'he did not observe any problems with the aircraft or engine performance.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain minimum airspeed for flight while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On May 1, 1999, about 1918 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N3732C, registered to and operated by Sam Riggs Flying Service, Inc., of Claremore, Oklahoma, was destroyed by a fire following terrain impact while maneuvering in the traffic pattern at the Sam Riggs Airpark near Claremore. The commercial pilot and his pilot rated passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Sam Riggs Airpark at 1830. The commercial pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that when the pilot rated passenger aligned the aircraft with runway 36 for landing, "an ultralight did a very aggressive landing procedure." The pilot further reported that he "took sole command of the aircraft," and flew to the east side of the runway for "a downwind leg" to land south. As the aircraft approached a road, which crosses the approach end of the runway, he "pitched the nose up to climb a little and reduce speed." He then "turned for a rounded base and final." As the aircraft turned, the "engine died," and he "continued to turn to get to open ground." He attempted an emergency landing, but the aircraft "hit too hard." The pilot rated passenger reported to the FAA inspector that he was in the back seat and was landing the aircraft to the north on a grass strip. The aircraft was approximately 50 feet above a line of trees that run east and west when he "noticed an ultralight taking off to the south on the same runway." He then made a right turn to 040 degrees and leveled off. The passenger further reported that the pilot in the front seat "took over control of the aircraft and pitched the nose up and began a left turn to land to the south." He "noticed that the airspeed was low and then the aircraft began to stall." The pilot was able to get the wings level before the aircraft's "nose pitched down sharply and impacted the ground." The passenger stated that "he did not observe any problems with the aircraft or engine performance." Examination of the aircraft wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the inboard section of both wings and the fuselage, except for the tail, were destroyed by fire. One propeller blade was destroyed by fire, and the other blade "exhibited evidence of power." There were also deep gouges in the ground that "appear to be propeller slashes." Continuity was established to all flight controls.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:18 CDT
Nearest AirportSam Riggs Airpark (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length1550 ft
Runway Width110 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN3732C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · M-A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind270° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data