# NTSB BFO92LA072: Piper J3C, N88070, Camillus, NY, May 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1992, 10:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Camillus, NY
- Location: 43.0387° N, 76.3099° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Camillus, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0387&lon=-76.3099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA072

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY JUDGE THE GROUND CLEARANCE REQUIRED TO PERFORM AN AEROBATIC MANUEVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING AT A LOW ALTITUDE, THEN PULLING UPTO BEGIN AN AERIAL LOOP.  AS THE AIRCRAFT MANUEVERED OVER THE TOP OF THE LOOP, IT IMMEDIATELY DESCENDED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88070](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88070), registered now, S/N 15686 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15686
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albert Y. Edison
- Registered owner: Albert Y. Edison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SYR, 12 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 19920523016429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920523016429A), May 23, 1992: Piper J3C65, Camillus, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Began loop at low altitude but fell out at top of loop. Dived into ground.

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.