# NTSB ATL05LA117: Piper J3C-65, N38341, Mocksville, NC, June 29, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2005, 15:32 local (19:32 UTC) - Place: Mocksville, NC - Coordinates: 35.908889, -80.453887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9089&lon=-80.4539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Greensboro FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 62064 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62064/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05LA117 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination. A factor was trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - fuel system - contamination (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported a loss of engine power while making a left crosswind turn at 400 feet. The pilot elected to make an off airport landing. While maneuvering on the approach to land, the airplane collided with trees and subsequently the ground. Maintenance personnel observed that when the throttle was positioned at idle, the RPM fluctuated between 500 and 1300, and the engine oil pressure was constant at 40 pounds of pressure. The carburetor was disassembled and revealed "small particles of dirt or paint chips" located in the carburetor and gascolator. Some particles appeared large enough to block fuel flow to the engine if injected or in a position to enter the fuel jet nozzle. Post-accident examination of the engine included a field test run of the engine. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2005 at 1532 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N38341, registered and operated by a private owner, collided with the ground after takeoff from Twin Lakes Airport, Mocksville, North Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from the Twin Lakes Airport, Mocksville, North Carolina, on June 29, 2005 at 1530. According to the pilot, he departed runway 27. After making a crosswind turn to the left, the pilot stated that the airplane lost power and "the engine quit about 400 feet above the ground." The pilot elected to make an off airport landing and collided with trees and the ground. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was folded under the fuselage, right wing exhibited circular crush damage along the leading edge, bending damage to the left landing gear, propeller blade was bent aft, and the left horizontal stabilizer exhibited crush damage at the outboard tip. Maintenance personnel observed that when the throttle was positioned at idle, the RPM fluctuated between 500 and 1300, and the engine oil pressure was constant at 40 pounds. The carburetor was disassembled and revealed "small particles of dirt or paint chips" located in the carburetor and gascolator. Some particles appeared large enough to block fuel flow to the engine if injected or in a position to enter the fuel jet nozzle, according to the maintenance personnel. Compression was noted on all cylinders. Both magnetos produced ignition sparks on all leads when rotated. Post-accident examination of the airplane included a functional test run of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38341](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38341-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 6949, built 1941 (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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6949 - Airframe hours: 144.57 - Engines: Continental A&C65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 17 hours before - Departed: 8A7, Mocksville, NC - Destination: 8A7, Mocksville, NC - Airport: 8A7, Twin Lakes ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; student, flight engineer, commercial, private, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2004; seat: rear; flight hours: 17,303 total, 100 in this make and model, 15,500 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GSO, 25 nm away ## 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 20050629016379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050629016379A), Jun 29, 2005: Piper J3C65, Mocksville, NC, Destroyed. (-23) The aircraft took off from runway 27 with 2 persons aboard. The aircraft climbed to approximately 400 ft when the pilot began a left turn. Shortly after… ## Other investigations on N38341 (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 MIA70DLG13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70DLG13), Mar 30, 1970: Piper J3C (N38341), Conway, SC, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.