# NTSB ATL92LA027: Piper J-3, N35535, Statesville, NC, November 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1991, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Statesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.779502, -80.880874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7795&lon=-80.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA027

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKE OFF, AT 300-400 FEET, THE ENGINE BEGAN VIBRATING & LOST POWER. HE LANDED IN THE TOPS OF TREES TO AVOID A STALL AND THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO HIM THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT WAS NOT PRODUCING THRUST. IT WAS HIS OPINION THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. THE ENGINE WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - undetermined (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35535](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35535), registered now, S/N 6440, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3) (registry code 7100502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6440
- Airframe hours: 6154
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rhyne, Jerry R.
- Registered owner: Rhyne, R. Raeford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1991, 3 hours before
- Airport: Raeford Rhyne, runway 2, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 450 total, 350 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 40 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 19911128053739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911128053739A), Nov 28, 1991: Piper STCJ3, Statesville, NC, Substantial damage. Reported loss of thrust on climbout,stalled into trees. Believed crankshaft broke. Not verified.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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