# NTSB ATL85LA167: Piper J3C-65, N98164, Fayetteville, GA, May 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.490058, -84.490249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4901&lon=-84.4902&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): 6800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WITH A LOW FUEL STATE, THE PLT PULLED THE ACFT INTO A STEEP CLIMB. A PWR LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE ACFT REPORTEDLY STALLED AND SPUN INTO A POND ON THE PVT GRASS AIRSTRIP. TEN POUNDS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98164](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98164), registered now, S/N 18323, built 1946 (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: 18323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Susan A. Robbins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1984, 10 hours before
- Airport: PVT, Willow Pond, runway 15, 1,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 15,015 total, 2,030 in this make and model, 14,790 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 13 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 19850519022669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519022669A), May 19, 1985: Piper J3C65, Fayeteville, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel unporting with nose high attitude and low fuel. Aircraft stalled and spun in.

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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