# NTSB ATL95LA118: Piper J3, N41105, York, SC, June 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1995, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: York, SC
- Coordinates: 34.989883, -81.229583 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9899&lon=-81.2296&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 December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA118

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## 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)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE SOD AIRFIELD, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A NEARBY FIELD, BUT COULD NOT MAKE THE FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TREES AND TERRAIN IN A SWAMPY AREA, AND THE ENGINE WAS SUBMERGED IN WATER. AFTER DRAINING THE WATER FROM THE CARBURETOR, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE RAN NORMALLY AT ALL POWER SETTINGS.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 1995, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3, N41105, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain following a loss of engine power during takeoff near York, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provision of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight.

The pilot stated that immediately after takeoff from the private sod airfield, the aircraft engine stopped producing power. He attempted a forced landing in a field, but was unable to make the field, and impacted the trees and terrain. The aircraft came to rest in a swamp area, and the aircraft engine was submerged in water.

During a test run of the aircraft engine, following the draining of water from the carburetor, the engine ran normally at all power settings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41105](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41105), registered now, S/N 7750, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC199D&E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac199d-e-series) (registry code 27009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7750
- Airframe hours: 4800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John S. Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1994, 88 hours before
- Departed: 36A
- Airport: 36A, York, runway 36, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,381 total, 246 in this make and model, 7,464 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 20 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 19950624040309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950624040309A), Jun 24, 1995: Piper J3L65, York, SC, Substantial damage. Reported power loss on climbout. Struck trees and fell into a swamp. Found water in fuel.

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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