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NTSB Report

May 14, 2003 · Piper J3C-65 · N70971

Wilmot, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wilmot, WI
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N70971
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA125

The airplane was damaged when it struck a barbed wire fence during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during a go-around. The pilot reported that the engine lost power during the climb-out and he set up for a forced landing. The engine subsequently began producing power again and the pilot attempted to return to the airport. The engine again stopped producing power and a forced landing was executed during which a barbed wire fence was struck causing the airplane to nose over. No anomalies were found with respect to the airplane. Evidence indicating the presence of fuel was found at the accident site.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing. A factor was the fence.

Full Narrative

On May 13, 2003, about 1900 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70971, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck a fence and nosed over during a forced landing. The airplane experienced a loss of engine power while performing a go-around at the Westosha Airport, Wilmont, Wisconsin. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, Wheeling, Illinois about 1835. The pilot reported that he performed a go-around and initially, the engine responded normally. He said that after gaining about 150 feet of altitude, the engine started to sputter and the rpm's dropped. He said that he was unable to maintain altitude and selected a field in which to perform a forced landing. When the airplane was about 75 feet above ground level, engine power returned and the pilot elected to attempt to return to the airport. The pilot reported that he was able to climb for about 10 to 20 seconds before the engine rpm again dropped. The pilot executed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a barbed wire fence and nosed over. The pilot reported that he departed PWK with 5 gallons of fuel on board. The total fuel capacity of the airplane is 12 gallons. No pre-impact anomalies were found during a postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. No fuel was recovered from the aircraft fuel tank, however, evidence of fuel staining was found on the ground beneath the fuel tank. A weather reporting station about 11 nautical miles northwest of the accident site recorded the temperature and dewpoint as 16 degrees Celsius, and 2 degrees Celsius respectively.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWESTOSHA (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length2849 ft
Runway Width38 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN70971
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-75-8 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time00:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data