# NTSB BFO88FA082: Piper J3C-65, N98121, Orange, VA, September 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1988, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Orange, VA
- Coordinates: 38.239677, -78.109245 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2397&lon=-78.1092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 1, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA082

## Probable cause

PILOT INITIATED LIFT OFF BEFORE FLYING SPEED WAS GAINED AND AS A RESULT THE AIRCRAFT HAD A LOSS OF AERODYNAMIC LIFT AND STALLED ON THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION AND FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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 - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW THE ACFT ON TAKEOFF ROLL NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 25. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES THE ACFT LIFTED OFF BUT SETTLED BACK DOWN ON THE RWY BEFORE IT LIFTED OFF AGAIN. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY TURNED LEFT AND BEGAN TO REVERSE COURSE. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS FLYING SLOWLY WITH THE WINGS ROCKING AS IT BEGAN TO TURN. THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FT AGL AND WAS ABOUT 300 FT SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WHEN IT ABRUPTLY PITCHED DOWN AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98121](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98121-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 18276, built 1946 (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 C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18276
- Airframe hours: 1326
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Marshall
- Registered owner: David Marshall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1987, 25 hours before
- Departed: W93
- Destination: VA19, SNOW HILL, VA
- Airport: W93, Orange Co., runway 25, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 402 total, 15 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO, 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 19880911037969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880911037969A), Sep 11, 1988: Piper J3C65, Orange, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Bounced on landing, began nose high go around, stalled and impacted ground vertically.

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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