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November 26, 2017 · Piper / Laudeman J3C 65 · N11188

Palmyra, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 26, 2017
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Palmyra, WI
Aircraft
Piper / Laudeman J3C 65 (1945)
Tail Number
N11188
Operator
Flying Hawks
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA038

Two airline transport-rated pilots departed on a personal, local flight to practice maneuvers. While returning to the departure airport and on the downwind leg, the rear seat pilot inadvertently pulled the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. The front seat pilot attempted to push the fuel shutoff valve back in but was unable to do so. The rear seat pilot then conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a tree about 2,000 ft short of the runway threshold, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Earlier in the year before the accident, both pilots frequently flew an airplane with a carburetor heat control that was in a similar position as the accident airplane's fuel shutoff valve. The rear pilot stated that he may have inadvertently pulled the fuel shutoff lever instead of the carburetor heat control. Therefore, it is likely that habit patterns developed from operating an airplane with different flight controls contributed to the rear seat pilot inadvertently pulling the fuel shutoff valve.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadvertent pulling of the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing into trees. Contributing to the pilot’s inadvertent pulling of the fuel shutoff valve were habit patterns he had developed from operating an airplane with different flight controls.

Full Narrative

On November 26, 2017, about 1430 central standard time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N11188, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Palmyra Municipal Airport (88C), Palmyra, Wisconsin. Both airline transport pilots were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Hawks Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which departed without a flight plan about 1400. The rear seat pilot stated that he performed a normal takeoff from the rear seat and flew to a nearby area to practice maneuvers. After completing these maneuvers and returning to 88C, the pilots noticed a loss of engine power while on downwind to runway 27. The pilots attempted unsuccessfully to restore engine power and the rear seat pilot turned the airplane toward runway 27. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a tree about 2000 ft short of the runway threshold and nosed over, damaging both wings. Examination of the airplane at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the fuel shut off valve was in the off position. The front seat pilot stated the fuel shut off valve had been inadvertently pulled off by the rear seat pilot. The front seat pilot attempted to push the fuel shut off valve back in but was unable to do so. The rear pilot stated he may have inadvertently pulled the fuel shut off lever instead of the carburetor heat control lever. Earlier in the year, both pilots frequently flew an airplane with a carburetor heat control lever that was in a similar position as the accident airplane's fuel shutoff valve. According to an Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine article, "Negative transfer is the transfer from one cockpit to another--of different design or configuration--of habits or responses which were appropriate in the former but are inappropriate in the latter, thereby posing a threat to flying safety. This danger has been demonstrated not only experimentally but also in a number of aircraft accident investigation reports."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CST
Nearest AirportPalmyra Muni (0nm ENE)
Runway27
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper / Laudeman J3C 65
Tail NumberN11188
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlying Hawks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 76 · Basc · Serious
Crew 2Age 75 · Basc · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 36 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data