# NTSB BFO89LA010: Piper J3C-65, N88054, Dublin, WV, November 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1988, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Dublin, WV
- Coordinates: 38.540111, -79.82096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5401&lon=-79.8210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - tie down - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - airport facility
  - object - aircraft parked/standing
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HAND PROP HIS ACFT WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE. HE STATED HE CHOCKED BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR. AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE FINALLY STARTED. THE ACFT RAN AT WHAT THE PILOT DESCRIBED AS SOUNDING LIKE FULL POWER. WHILE THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GET INSIDE THE ACFT, IT JUMPED OVER THE CHOCKS AND BEGAN TO MOVE. THE PILOT GRABBED THE WING STRUT TO TURN THE ACFT SO IT WOULD NOT CONTACT A SENECA PARKED ON THE RAMP. THE PILOT STATED HE THEN LET GO WHEN IT APPEARED THE ACFT WOULD TRAVEL TOWARD THE RWY AND NOT THE RAMP. THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT CONTACTED THE FUEL PUMPS AND SWUNG AROUND HITTING THE PLT. THE ACFT THEN TURNED TOWARD THE RAMP WHERE IT CONTACTED A PARKED CESSNA 172 AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE MAGNETOS AND FUEL SELECTOR WERE ON BUT THE THROTTLE WAS AT IDLE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88054](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88054), registered now, S/N 15667, 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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15667
- Airframe hours: 2140
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe E. Mcglothlin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1988, 46 hours before
- Airport: PSK, New River Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 17,900 total, 450 in this make and model, 17,900 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881115050789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881115050789A), Nov 15, 1988: Piper J3C65, Dublin, VA, Substantial damage. Engine started by propping. Ran at full throttle, jumped chocks. Hit fuel pumps, pilot, and a parked aircraft.

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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