# NTSB ATL86LA188: Piper J3C-65, N70824, Welch, WV, July 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1986, 20:15 local (Jul 7, 1986, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Welch, WV
- Coordinates: 37.429275, -81.579284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4293&lon=-81.5793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA188

## 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)
  - maintenance,adjustment - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - proper alignment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spiral - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD WORKED ON THE ENGINE CARBURETOR FOR SOME TIME AS WELL AS JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TAKEOFF. AT ABOUT 200 FEET AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RWY 27 THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN BACK TO THE RWY AND TRIED TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH RWY 9. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND BESIDE THE RWY AND CAME TO REST FACING NORTH. A FIRE ERUPTED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTED DETERMINING IF THERE WAS A CARBURETOR MALFUNCTION. THE AIRPORT SITS ON A TABLETOP MOUNTAIN WITH STEEP SIDES AND IS SURROUNDED BY DENSE WOODS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70824](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70824-1988-07-27), registration cancelled 1988-07-27, S/N 17840 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17840
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sam Hazzard, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: I25, Welch Municipal, runway 27, 2,375 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 17 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 19860706030959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860706030959A), Jul 6, 1986: Piper J3C65, Welch, WV, Destroyed. Stalled after engine quit on takeoff. Impacted beside runway nose down and burned. Pilot seen working on carburetor.

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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