# NTSB ATL83LA109: Piper J-3C, N88037, Stockbridge, GA, February 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1983, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Stockbridge, GA
- Coordinates: 33.540187, -84.239135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5402&lon=-84.2391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA109

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM FAILED TO REVEAL ANY DISCREPANCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS. AN EXTERNAL FUEL TANK WAS CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE AND IT STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88037](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88037), registered now, S/N 15654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C
- Registry model: [Piper J-3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3c) (registry code 7100503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15654
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phoenix Flight Sign, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1983
- Departed: 4AO, STOCKBRIDGE, GA
- Destination: HWD, HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Airport: 4A0, Berry Hill, runway 01, 3,300 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,553 total, 651 in this make and model, 2,450 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19830218004729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830218004729A), Feb 18, 1983: Piper J3C*, Stockbridge, GA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit shortly after takeoff.

## Other investigations on N88037 (2)

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 CHI96LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA022), Oct 29, 1995: Piper J-3C (N88037), Rochester, IN, destroyed. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in a stall. A factor relating to the accident was: the gusty wind condition.
- [NTSB MKC65F0012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC65F0012), Jan 30, 1965: Piper J3 (N88037), Kenesaw, KS, 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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