# Accident 20230605006869A: Piper J3C-65, Salem, WI, June 5, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 5, 2023, 18:00 local time
- Place: Salem, WI
- Airport: Digger Dougs
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.6100° N, 88.1600° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6100&lon=-88.1600&mi=10
- Aircraft: N42220, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42220) (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: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 391 total, 391 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA229) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230605006869A

## Narrative

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

SALEM, WI (4WN9): ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ J3C-65, LANDED HARD RESULTING IN A BROKEN LANDING GEAR, BROKEN WING SPAR, AND A PROP STRIKE. POB: 1, INJURIES: MINOR, DAMAGE: SUBSTANTIAL. 06/05/2023 2300Z.

ON 6/06, AN INSPECTOR FROM THE MILWAUKEE FSDO RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PILOT WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR OBSERVATION OVERNIGHT FOR POSSIBLE WHIPLASH-TYPE INJURY SYMPTOMS.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS SITUATED FACING WSW, SOUTHEAST OF THE TURF RUNWAY APPROX. 30 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF GROUND SCARS INDICATED THE AIRCRAFT LANDED TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY, IN GRASS MEADOW APPROX. 2 FEET TALL. GROUND SCARS SHOWING CONTACT WITH THE PROPELLER, FRONT LOWER ENGINE, LEFT WINGTIP, AND LEFT AILERON WERE OBSERVED. THE GROUND SCARS INDICATED NOSEDOWN ATTITUDE AT IMPACT AND A LOW ALTITUDE - HIGH ANGLE DESCENT TO THE GROUND.

INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED ON GROUND IMPACT. THE LEFT WINGTIP HAD IMPACT DAMAGE AND THE REAR SPAR WAS BROKEN, THE LEFT AILERON AFT OUTBOARD CORNER WAS DAMAGED DUE TO GROUND CONTACT.

THE BOTTOM ENGINE COWLING WAS DAMAGED AT THE FORWARD END. THE CARBURETOR, INTAKE MANIFOLD, EXHAUST MANIFOLD ALL EXHIBITED SIGNS OF IMPACT DAMAGE.

INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS AND ENGINE CONTROLS INDICATED NORMAL OPERATION. PRESENCE OF FUEL WAS CONFIRMED AT THE ENGINE GASCOLATOR AND CARBURETOR. THE FUEL HEADER TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY TWO GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT NO MECHANICAL ISSUES WERE EVIDENT DURING THE FLIGHT AND LANDING OPERATIONS.

ON 6/09/2023, OPERATIONS INSPECTORS WITH THE MILWAUKEE FSDO CONDUCTED IN PERSON INTERVIEW WITH PIC IN HANGAR AT HOME BASE AIRPORT EAST TROY (57C). THE AIRCRAFT IS A PIPER J3 CUB WITH BASIC INSTRUMENTATION. THE PIC HOLDS A SPORT PILOT CERTIFCATE. THE PIC STATED THAT SHE WAS OPERATING A LOCAL SCENIC FLIGHT WITH ABOUT 1.5 HOURS OF FUEL ON BOARD. SHE WAS STRESSED FROM THE WORKDAY. SHE FLEW AROUND HER USUAL ROUTE BUT BECAME DISORIENTATED IN HAZY CONDITIONS AND LOST SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO 57C, BUT ENDED UP SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT WHEN SHE SPOTTED A GRASS AIR STRIP AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO FIX HER POSITION.  HER FIRST ATTEMPT WAS TOO HIGH AND SHE WENT AROUND AND WAS AGAIN HIGH ON SECOND ATTEMPT, SHE MADE A SIDE SLIP MANEUVER, BUT BECAME TOO LOW AND HIT AN UNKNOWN GROUND RISE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 CEN23LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA229), Jun 5, 2023: Piper J3C-65 (N42220), Salem, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the left main landing gear collapse.

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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