# NTSB ATL85LA214: Wag-Aero Cubbie (J-3), N909GH, Stockbridge, GA, July 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1985, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Stockbridge, GA
- Coordinates: 33.539367, -84.239158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5394&lon=-84.2392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - engine assembly,ring - binding(mechanical)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A DEPARTURE, THE ENG HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER CLIMBING TO ABOUT 75 FT, NEITHER THE ACFT'S SPEED NOR ALT WOULD INCREASE. HE LOWERED THE NOSE TO INCREASE THE ENG RPM & SPEED, BUT THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING HIT A TREE & THE ACFT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER TREE & THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ACFT HAD NOT ACCELERATED TO ITS TAKEOFF SPEED AT THE MIDPOINT OF THE 3000 FT RWY, YET HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF ROLL. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE COMPRESSION RING ON THE #1 PISTON WAS FROZEN IN COMPRESSION. NO OTHER PRE-ACCIDENT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N909GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N909GH-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 1077, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Wag-Aero, Inc. CUBBIE (J-3) (CUBBIE (J-)
- Registry model: [Harwell/Gardner WAG-AERO CUBY](https://openairdocs.org/model/harwell-gardner-wag-aero-cuby) (registry code 05655KM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1077
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph B. Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1984, 62 hours before
- Airport: Berry Hill, runway 21, 3,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## 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: center; flight hours: 949 total, 150 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850716031869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850716031869A), Jul 16, 1985: Amtr CUBY, Stockbridge, GA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power after takeoff, struck trees. Piston compression ring frozen in compressed position.

## Other investigations on N909GH (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 MIA01LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA002), Oct 10, 2000: Harwell/Gardner WAG-AERO Cubby (N909GH), Stockbridge, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during a forced landing resulting in an on-ground collision with a berm on landing roll out. Contributing to the accident was a reported loss of…

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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