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NTSB Report
June 1, 1988 · Piper J3C · N98178
N Fort Myers, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
N Fort Myers, FL
Aircraft
Piper J3C
Tail Number
N98178
Operator
Walker David L
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA88FA184
THE PLT TKOF ON RWY 27 WITH THE WIND FM 060 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 23 KTS. DENSITY ALT WAS 2100'. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS IN A SLOW SPEED, NOSE HI CLIMB, WHEN ENG PWR WAS INTERRUPTED MOMENTARILY. PWR WAS RESTORED, BUT SOON THEREAFTER, THE ACFT ROLLED RGT, ENTERED A DSCNT FM ABT 200' AGL & CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FND. THE ACFT HAD BEEN SVCD WITH AUTO FUEL, BUT NO STC HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR SUCH FUEL. NO WEIGHT & BALANCE (W/B) INFO WAS AVAILABLE IN THE LOGS. USING W/B INFO FROM WHEN THE ACFT WAS MANUFACTURED, CORRECTED FOR INSTALLATION OF FUEL TANKS, THE ACFT WAS ESTD TO HAVE BEEN 68 LBS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 89 & 68 DEGS, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARB ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT GLIDE POWER. THE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE COLD OR OFF POSITION.
Full Narrative
THE PLT TKOF ON RWY 27 WITH THE WIND FM 060 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 23 KTS. DENSITY ALT WAS 2100'. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS IN A SLOW SPEED, NOSE HI CLIMB, WHEN ENG PWR WAS INTERRUPTED MOMENTARILY. PWR WAS RESTORED, BUT SOON THEREAFTER, THE ACFT ROLLED RGT, ENTERED A DSCNT FM ABT 200' AGL & CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FND. THE ACFT HAD BEEN SVCD WITH AUTO FUEL, BUT NO STC HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR SUCH FUEL. NO WEIGHT & BALANCE (W/B) INFO WAS AVAILABLE IN THE LOGS. USING W/B INFO FROM WHEN THE ACFT WAS MANUFACTURED, CORRECTED FOR INSTALLATION OF FUEL TANKS, THE ACFT WAS ESTD TO HAVE BEEN 68 LBS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 89 & 68 DEGS, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARB ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT GLIDE POWER. THE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE COLD OR OFF POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportPine Shadows Airpark (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C
Tail NumberN98178
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWalker David L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 12 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 15 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:24
Weather SourceWFAC