# Accident 20020811017589A: Piper J3C65, Hillman, MI, August 11, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 11, 2002, 20:05 local time
- Place: Hillman, MI
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.9967° N, 83.9250° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9967&lon=-83.9250&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6658H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6658H-2013-05-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper J3C-65 (registry code 7100510, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C65
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI02LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA244) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020811017589A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON AUGUST 11, 2002, AT 2005 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A PIPER J3C-65, N6658H, OWNED AND PILOTED BY A COMMERCIAL PILOT, WAS DESTROYED ON IMPACT WITH TERRAIN AND POSTCRASH FIRE FOLLOWING A TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR HILLMAN, MICHIGAN. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE 14 CFR PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS NOT OPERATING ON A FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. (-23) WITNESS TESTIMONY INDICATES THAT N6658H WAS FLYING SLOW APPARENTLY MANEUVERING FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT THEN PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND RIGHT WING LOW JUST PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE SURFACE IN AN APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AFTER IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAMES WHICH CONSUMED MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI02LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA244), Aug 12, 2002: Piper J3C-65 (N6658H), Hillman, MI, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.

## Other reports on N6658H (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19810120002129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810120002129A), Jan 20, 1981: Piper J3C65 (N6658H), Atlanta, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit, cause unknown. Stalled avoiding trees on landing. Expired medical. No endorsements on permit.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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