# NTSB ANC87LA145: Piper J3C-65, N42128, Kahlitna Glac, AK, September 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1987, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Kahlitna Glac, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA145

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE LAKE, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE PLANE TO NOSE OVER ON ITS BACK AND THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN 20 TO 25 FEET OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42128](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42128-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 14354, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14354
- Airframe hours: 2210
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-8-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter C. Olson
- Registered owner: Walter C. Olson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1986, 41 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,289 total, 1,289 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870902056359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870902056359A), Sep 2, 1987: Piper STCJ3, Kahlitna Glacie, AK, Substantial damage. The float equipped aircraft dragged a wing during a downwind lake landing. Pilot was returning due to rough engine.

## Other investigations on N42128 (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 UNK64X3584](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3584), Aug 25, 1964: Piper J3C (N42128), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

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.

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