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NTSB Report

March 5, 2005 · Piper J3C-65 · N87955

Andover, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Andover, NJ
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N87955
Operator
Calvin Thomas
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD05LA042

The certificated pilot (receiving tailwheel instruction) executed a landing to runway 03, and after the airplane touched down, it drifted left. The flight instructor joined him on the controls, and added power and right rudder; however, the left main landing gear struck a 2 1/2-foot snow bank. The airplane swung to the left, the right main landing gear then struck a snow bank, and the airplane nosed over. Winds were 10 degrees from the right, at 6 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors in the accident were the flight instructors delayed remedial action, and crosswind.

Full Narrative

On March 5, 2005, about 1340 eastern standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N87955, received substantial damage when it nosed over while landing at Aeroflex-Andover Airport (12N), Andover, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor and certificated commercial pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the flight instructor, the pilot receiving tailwheel instruction was executing a landing on runway 03. After the airplane touched down, it started to drift left. "As correction control inputs were being made [both pilots were then on the controls], the left main gear struck a 2 1/2-foot snow bank, causing the aircraft to swing quickly to the left.." The right main landing gear then struck the snow bank, and the airplane nosed over. The weather reported at the airport, at 1354, included winds from 040 degrees at 6 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 EST
Nearest AirportAeroflex-Andover (0nm)
Runway03
Runway Length1981 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN87955
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCalvin Thomas
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 6 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 12 C
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time17:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data