# NTSB ATL95LA167: Piper J3C-65, N1474N, Mooresville, NC, September 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 1995, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Mooresville, NC - Coordinates: 35.570968, -80.8097 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5710&lon=-80.8097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3623 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3623/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA167 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat resulting in the formation of carburetor ice and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause) - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that engine power decreased smoothly in cruise flight, at a power setting of 2100 RPM. The carburetor heat was applied for about one minute, then removed. He slowed the airplane down and executed an intentional stall into the trees. The weather at the time of the accident was favorable for the formation of carburetor ice, and the pilot said that he did not receive a weather briefing. Later, the pilot stated that he believed that carburetor ice had formed because during the engine teardown there was a lot of moisture in the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1995, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N1474N, collided with trees during a forced landing near Mooresville, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal, local flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot nor his passenger, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Bradford Field, a private airstrip, near Huntersville, North Carolina, about 45 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that they were in cruise flight, about 1400 feet msl (700-800 agl) when the engine lost power. Engine power decreased smoothly, he reported. Carburetor heat was applied for about one minute, then removed, just before an intentional stall into a pine forest, at very slow speed. Immediately prior to the loss of power, the engine was being operated at 2100 rpm. Local temperature and dew point was 76 and 66 degrees F., respectively.(See attached icing probability curves). The on-scene investigation revealed 1/2 tank of fuel in the main, 5 gallons in the reserve tank, engine oil satisfactory, and throttle linkage intact. The engine examination disclosed heavy soot deposits on the spark plugs, moisture in the carburetor, and the fuel free from containments. The engine operated properly at all power settings during the functional examination. The pilot later stated that he believed carburetor icing had caused the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1474N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1474N), registered now, S/N 23140, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65 - 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: 23140 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F Hackenberg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1995, 17 hours before - Departed: PVT, HUNTERSVILLE, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,007 total, 87 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 2° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CLT, 25 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 19950910028169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950910028169A), Sep 10, 1995: Piper J3C65, Mooresville, NC, Substantial damage. Lost power gradually. Used heat no avail. Stalled into tree tops. Beleived carb icing. Failed use heat timely. ## Other investigations on N1474N (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW85FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA094), Jan 8, 1985: Piper J3C-65 (N1474N), Ferriday, LA, substantial damage, 1 fatal 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.