# Accident 20181006019529A: Piper J3C-65, Fancy Gap, VA, October 6, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 6, 2018, 23:07 local time
- Place: Fancy Gap, VA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.6381° N, 80.7072° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6381&lon=-80.7072&mi=10
- Aircraft: N38811, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38811-2019-06-18) (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 J3C-65
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA003) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181006019529A

## Narrative

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

10/07/2018 - N38811 WAS FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF FANCY GAP, VA AFTER A SEARCH BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND ALONG A HILLSIDE IN A MODERATELY FORESTED AREA.

THE AIRCRAFT HAD IMPACTED NOSE FIRST THROUGH THE TREE TOPS, WITH BOTH WINGS, MAIN LANDING GEAR, AND THE FIREWALL-FORWARD SECTION BEING SEPERATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  THE FUSELAGE CAME TO REST IN A VERTICAL POSITION AND RESTING AGAINST A TREE.

THE AIRMAN WAS STILL SEATED, AND BUCKLED INTO THE FORWARD SEAT UPON DISCOVERY.  THE BODY HAD BEEN REMOVED PRIOR TO NTSB/FAA ARRIVAL ON SCENE.

THE TREES ASSOCIATED WITH THE APPARENT FLIGHT PATH SHOWED SIGNS OF IMPACT AND PROP STRIKES, AS WELL AS A LARGE UPPER PORTION OF ONE TREE BEING TOPPED AND LAYING NEAR THE WRECKAGE.

THE MAIN FUEL TANK HAD RUPTURED ON IMPACT AND COULD NOT BE EVALUATED FOR FUEL LEVEL AND/OR CONTAMINATION.  THE AUXILIARY FUEL CELL INDICATED SOME FUEL REMAINING, HOWEVER, THE LEVEL COULD NOT BE DETERMINED ON-SCENE.

WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED FOR LATER ANALYSIS.  NO FURTHER INFORMATION AT THIS TIME.  MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE WAS CONTACTED FAA TOXILOGICAL KIT USE WAS VERIFIED.  A REQUEST WAS MADE FOR THE RESULTS UPON AVAILABILITY.

NOTHING FURTHER AT THIS TIME.

## 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 ERA19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA003), Oct 6, 2018: Piper J3C (N38811), Fancy Gap, VA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to undertake a flight into forecast instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his subsequent decision to continue the flight after encountering…

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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