# NTSB ATL91LA154: Piper J3C, N2139M, Middlesex, NC, August 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1991, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Middlesex, NC
- Coordinates: 35.780773, -78.200912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7808&lon=-78.2009&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 May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA154

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING IN A TURN ON INITIAL CLIMB OUT RESULTING IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON INITIAL TAKEOFF, THE J-3 PILOT INITIATED A LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 125 FEET AGL. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE AIRSPEED HAD DECAYED TO ABOUT 40 KNOTS. THE AIRPLANE STALLED, AND THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND BEFORE A RECOVERY COULD BE MADE. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE; HE WAS MAINTAINING A STEEP, NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE ON THE INITIAL CLIMB AND DID NOT MONITOR HIS AIRSPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2139M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2139M), registered now, S/N 20926, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- 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: 20926
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12F 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stone,Alfred T & Striplin,B.
- Registered owner: Stone,Alfred T & Striplin,B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 138 total, 32 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: RWI, 14 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 19910805039699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910805039699A), Aug 5, 1991: Piper J3C65, Middlesex, NC, Substantial damage. Stalled during a nose high climbing turn after takeoff.

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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