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NTSB Report

September 16, 2017 · Piper J3C 65 · N38365

Hanover Township, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 2017
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Hanover Township, PA
Aircraft
Piper J3C 65 (1941)
Tail Number
N38365
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA17LA328

The private pilot was conducting a local, personal flight. He reported that, about 1,000 ft above ground level and as he began turning the airplane left, it rolled faster than he expected and then "rolled over" into an inverted attitude. The pilot regained control of the airplane, and when the airplane was straight and level, he saw treetops. He tried to pull up, but the airplane impacted trees and then terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated, and a postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed, that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the flight controls that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On September 16, 2017, about 1649 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N38365, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain while maneuvering near Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed Herron Airport (7G1), New Cumberland, West Virginia. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, he and the passenger made two previous local flights that day before the accident flight. During the third flight of the day, approximately 1,000 ft above ground level, he started a left turn and the airplane rolled over into an inverted attitude. The pilot further stated, "in a bat of an eye it rolled over." He then corrected the roll and when the airplane was straight and level, he saw some tree tops. He tried to pull up, but the airplane contacted the tree tops and impacted the ground. The pilot stated there were no mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. According to the pilot-rated passenger, they were flying along with friends, who were flying their airplanes. One of their friend's airplanes passed them to the left and they were going to turn left and follow it. During the turn to the left, the airplane rolled over. She further stated, "it rolled over so fast she could not believe it." They contacted some tree tops and impacted the ground. She stated there were no mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane had sustained damage to the forward and aft wing spar on the left wing. The right main landing gear was separated. One propeller blade was bent. The bulkhead fuel tank was ruptured. Cable continuity was established to all flight controls.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:49 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C 65
Tail NumberN38365
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C-90-8 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 24 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data