# NTSB ATL88LA202: Piper J3C-65, N2875Y, Whitsett, NC, June 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1988, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Whitsett, NC
- Coordinates: 36.029747, -79.589179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0297&lon=-79.5892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA202

## 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
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - attempted
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT 150 FT AGL. HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A 180 DEG TURN BACK TO THE ARPT; THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AT ABOUT THE 180 DEG POINT. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS STC'D FOR AUTOGAS & WAS FUELED W/ A 50/50 MIX OF AVGAS AND AUTOGAS. HE NOTED THAT HE HAD ADVISED THE PLT JUST PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THAT THE ENGINE WAS PRONE TO CARB ICE AND THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARB ICE FORMATION. HE SUBSEQUENTLY OBSERVED THAT THE PLT ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO IDLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE T/O ROLL. EXAM OF ICING PROBABILITY CURVES REVEALED THAT REPORTED WX CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE PWR SETTINGS. FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR 91-33A NOTES THAT FAA TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT CARB ICE WILL OCCUR FASTER AND AT HIGHER TEMPS W/ AUTOGAS THAN AVGAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2875Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2875Y), registered now, S/N 22384 (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: 22384
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William F. Via
- Registered owner: Via, William F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: NC19, Meadowlark Gliderport, runway 18, 2,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 320 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO

## 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 19880628023899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880628023899A), Jun 28, 1988: Piper STCJ3, Whitsett, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout crashed into ground trying to turn back. Had open field without a turn. Carb icing occured.

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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