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April 27, 2000 · Piper J3C-65 · N146TM

Healdsburg, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Healdsburg, CA
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N146TM
Operator
Thomas Noonan
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA174

The runway is situated on a plateau with a windsock located at the departure end of the runway on a 30-foot steel pole. During climb out the airplane encountered a crosswind approximately 30 feet above the runway. Due to the unfavorable wind condition, the pilot was unable to maintain runway alignment and noted that the airplane did not gain altitude. The CFI took the control yoke and attempted to maintain airspeed and altitude while trying to avoid a vineyard. He noted that they were running out of suitable airport environment and terrain to make a forced landing and were not able to climb. In order to avoid the windsock, the CFI had to raise the nose; the airplane stalled and impacted a grassy area about 100 feet from the runway edge and about 20 feet below the airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the flight review pilot to compensate for the crosswind and maintain flying speed during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On April 27, 2000, at 1250 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N146TM, collided with terrain on the takeoff initial climb from runway 31 at the Healdsburg Muni Airport, Healdsburg, California. The airplane, operated by the owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the private pilot/owner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight review (FR), and no flight plan was filed. The flight was scheduled to terminate at the accident airport. The CFI stated that the airport is situated on a plateau surrounded by vineyards. At the departure end of the runway is a windsock that is attached to a 30-foot steel pole. The pilot stated that a 6-knot, 90-degree crosswind prevailed during takeoff. After takeoff, at an altitude of 25-30 feet, the airplane was pushed by a gust of wind from the left. He noted that the airplane was operating at full power, but did not respond to control inputs to return back to runway alignment, or to climb. At that point the CFI took control of the airplane; however, the airplane continued to sink. The pilot indicated that a windsock mounted on a steel pole approximately 30 feet high was in their flight path. The CFI raised the nose of the airplane to avoid a collision with the windsock and the airplane impacted terrain to the right side of the runway. The pilot noted no discrepancies with the airplane or engine. The CFI reported that the surface conditions did not appear to be gusty but the winds were at 6 knots, and oriented about 80 degrees from the active runway. There were no anomalies experienced on the takeoff roll. On the initial climb out the airplane encountered turbulence about 30 feet above the runway, and did not gain altitude. The CFI took control of the airplane from the pilot as it started to drift towards the right of the runway. He noted that the airplane was descending, and the airspeed was low. To prevent a stall he elected to keep the throttle in the open position and maintain a nose low attitude, while keeping the descent rate at a minimum. He noted that the windsock was in their flight path and they were still not able to climb. In order to avoid the windsock he raised the nose of the airplane and impacted a grassy area approximately 100 feet from the runway edge and 20 feet below the airport environment.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 PDT
Nearest AirportHealdsburg Municipal (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length2707 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN146TM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThomas Noonan
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A75-8 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 11 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data