# NTSB ATL85LA001: Piper J3C-65, N38685, Milledgeville, GA, October 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1984, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Milledgeville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.080821, -83.230888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0808&lon=-83.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED FOR THE INTENDED DESTINATION, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ARPT DUE TO FOG. AFTER LANDING AT ANOTHER NEARBY ARPT, HE FOUND NO AV-GAS AVAILABLE. HE THEN ELECTED TO RETURN TO HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION, BUT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION APRX 7 MI SHORT OF THE ARPT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR WHEEL SANK IN SOFT SOIL & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE ELAPSED TIME FROM INITIAL TAKEOFF UNTIL THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WAS 45 MIN. THE PLT ESTIMATED HIS FUEL REMAINING AT THE TIME OF INITIAL TAKEOFF TO BE 72 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38685](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38685-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 7193, 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: 7193
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter A. Clayton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1983, 14 hours before
- Departed: 3J7, SANDERSVILLE, GA
- Destination: MLJ, MILLEDGEVILLE, GA
- Airport: Baldwin City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 431 total, 59 in this make and model, 336 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19841003053499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841003053499A), Oct 3, 1984: Piper J3C65, Milledgeville, GA, Substantial damage. Unable to land at destination or obtain fuel at alternate. Took off, ran out of fuel. Nosed overr in plowed field.

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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