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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 12, 2008 · Piper J3C-50 · N23267

Epping, NH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Epping, NH
Aircraft
Piper J3C-50
Tail Number
N23267
Operator
Phyllis Harvey
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09CA014

The pilot of a Piper J3C-50 stated that after completing a preflight inspection, during startup of the airplane, he noticed that the engine was running rough. He made an attempt to clear up the rough-running engine by conducting high-speed taxis. He then decided to fly it in the traffic pattern as a safety check. During takeoff, at an altitude of 50 feet above the runway, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned the airplane in an attempt to return to the private landing strip and stalled into terrain. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed dirt and debris in the fuel lines. Further examination of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 5 years prior to the accident. Additionally, the airplane was operating on automobile gasoline, and there was no supplemental type certificate issued by the FAA for the accident airplane's use of automobile gasoline.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C

Full Narrative

The pilot of a Piper J3C-50 stated that after completing a preflight inspection, during startup of the airplane, he noticed that the engine was running rough. He made an attempt to clear up the rough running engine by conducting high-speed taxis. He then decided to fly it in the traffic pattern as a safety check. During takeoff, at an altitude of 50 feet above the runway, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned the airplane in an attempt to return to the private landing strip, and stalled into terrain. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that dirt and debris was found in the fuel lines. Further examination of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 5 years prior to the accident. Additionally, the airplane was operating on automobile gasoline, and there was no supplemental type certificate issued by the FAA for the accident airplane's use of automobile gasoline.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:11 EDT
Nearest AirportRed Oak Hill Farm (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-50
Tail NumberN23267
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhyllis Harvey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C85 SERIES · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.50 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data