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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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February 16, 1986 · Piper J3L-65 · N30233

Sevierville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 16, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Sevierville, TN
Aircraft
Piper J3L-65
Tail Number
N30233
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA076

DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED. DURING THE DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED TREETOPS PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CRANKCASE. THE ENGINE WAS PLACED INTO SERVICE IN THE YEAR 1940 AND THE TOTAL TIME ON THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

Full Narrative

DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED. DURING THE DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED TREETOPS PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CRANKCASE. THE ENGINE WAS PLACED INTO SERVICE IN THE YEAR 1940 AND THE TOTAL TIME ON THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EST
Nearest AirportPigion Forge (1nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3L-65
Tail NumberN30233
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-145B SERIES · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data