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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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August 23, 1988 · Piper J3C-65 · N8370H

Shelton, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Shelton, WA
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N8370H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA88LA161

THE PILOT REPORTED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHILE FERRYING AN AIRCRAFT TO ITS HOME BASE AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE PILOT LANDED IN A SMALL FIELD OF RYE CROP. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SIZE OF THE FIELD PRECLUDED A NORMAL APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A HARD LANDING INTO THE SMALL FIELD. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL FITTING TO THE CARBURETOR BROKE IN FLIGHT. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ALONG THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUSELAGE. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FITTING HAD BEEN DEFORMED AT SOME PREVIOUS TIME. THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE FITTING HAD BEEN ADJUSTED DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHILE FERRYING AN AIRCRAFT TO ITS HOME BASE AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE PILOT LANDED IN A SMALL FIELD OF RYE CROP. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SIZE OF THE FIELD PRECLUDED A NORMAL APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A HARD LANDING INTO THE SMALL FIELD. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL FITTING TO THE CARBURETOR BROKE IN FLIGHT. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ALONG THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUSELAGE. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FITTING HAD BEEN DEFORMED AT SOME PREVIOUS TIME. THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE FITTING HAD BEEN ADJUSTED DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN8370H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data