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NTSB Report
April 9, 1983 · Piper J3C-85 · N26182
Spencer, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Spencer, MA
Aircraft
Piper J3C-85
Tail Number
N26182
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC83LA089
THE PILOT WAS WARMING THE ENG FOR A COMPRESSION CHECK AND OIL CHANGE IN PREPARATION FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. HE STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT RATHER THAN RUN THE ENGINE ON THE GROUND. ON TKOF A HIGH RATE OF CLIMB WAS OBTAINED AND AT 150 MSL THE ENG QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE ACFT CONTAINED ONLY 15-20 MINUTES OF FUEL. THE PILOTS RATE OF CLIMB UNPORTED THE FUEL OUTLETS AND STARVED THE ENGINE OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATES THAT HIS RATE OF CLIMB FORCED THE FUEL TO THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK AWAY FROM THE OUTLET PIPE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS WARMING THE ENG FOR A COMPRESSION CHECK AND OIL CHANGE IN PREPARATION FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. HE STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT RATHER THAN RUN THE ENGINE ON THE GROUND. ON TKOF A HIGH RATE OF CLIMB WAS OBTAINED AND AT 150 MSL THE ENG QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE ACFT CONTAINED ONLY 15-20 MINUTES OF FUEL. THE PILOTS RATE OF CLIMB UNPORTED THE FUEL OUTLETS AND STARVED THE ENGINE OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATES THAT HIS RATE OF CLIMB FORCED THE FUEL TO THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK AWAY FROM THE OUTLET PIPE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EST
Nearest AirportSPENCER (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length1700 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-85
Tail NumberN26182
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · 85 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO