# NTSB ATL83FA271: Piper J3C-65, N27111, Remington, VA, July 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1983, 20:30 local (Jul 13, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Remington, VA
- Coordinates: 38.530906, -77.799034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5309&lon=-77.7990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA271

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR A LANDING ON A PRIVATE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT THE TOPS OF TWO TREES, CRASHED & CAME TO REST APRX 100 YARDS SOUTH OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURES. THE UPPER WING FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FUSELAGE FUEL TANK WAS DAMAGED DURING IMPACT & FUEL FROM IT SPILLED ONTO THE PLT'S CLOTHES & BODY. THE WING FUEL TANK SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION & THE FUSELAGE TANK VALVE WAS IN THE ON POSITON. THE ENG WAS PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLED, BUT NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED. CONTAMINATES WERE NOTED IN THE FUEL STRAINER. SOME YELLOWISH COLORED FUEL WAS REMOVED FROM THE CARBURETOR WHICH CONTAINED SOME CONTAMINATES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27111](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27111), registered now, S/N 4363, built 1940 (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: 4363
- Airframe hours: 2170
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Szabolscky , S. L.
- Registered owner: Arthur T. Lunney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1982, 58 hours before
- Airport: PVT, Remington, runway 27, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 17,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19830712029589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830712029589A), Jul 12, 1983: Piper J3C65, Remington, VA, Destroyed. Lost power on downwind for landing. Hit trees. Indicates fuel contamination the problem. Improper fueling or sumping

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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